28 June 2008
Lagos — A galaxy of stars including Leona Lewis, Jamelia, Amy Winehouse, Sugababes, Will Smith, Razorlight, Peter Gabriel, Annie Lennox and Queen took part in a concert at the London Hyde Park, as part of activities celebrating Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday celebration.
As well as marking the former South African president's birthday, the concert is raising funds for Mandela's HIV/AIDS charity 46664. Smith kicked off the concert with his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, announcing: "The party begins." He quoted singer Peter Gabriel as once saying, "If the world could only have one father, the man that we would choose to be our father would be Nelson Mandela."
Mandela later joined the music stars on stage at the concert in central London.
Mandela said: "We are honoured to be back in London to celebrate but our work is far from complete." Leona Lewis was one of the biggest hits of the night, singing her ballad 'Bleeding Love' as well as 'Better In Time.' Jamelia sang a duet with South African star Loyiso.
The Sugababes, who prompted the crowd to wish Mandela "Happy Birthday' sang their hits 'Push the Button' and 'About You Now.' Annie Lennox, who performed at the Free Nelson Mandela Wembley concert 20 years ago, took to the stage wearing a T-shirt saying "HIV Positive." Other performers included Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, the Soweto Gospel Choir and Simple Minds.
The 46664 charity was named after the prison number which Mandela was given during the 27 years he spent behind bars for his stand against South African apartheid.
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To be honest with my friend, madiba is one of this people who's loved by the english crown bcause he didn't do what robert mugabe did, give the people, the black people what is theirs... He's someone that people will always love bcause he didn't put his own people 1st...
May Nzambi Ya pungo be with you...
my friend where are u from?? im south african and i can tell u a lot of black tribes who were forcefully removed by the boers have been given back their land; there's affirmative action and BEE happening, so means have been put in place to give black people a stake in the country's fortunes. Mandela didnt see the need to chase white farmers with guns, unlike Mugabe, who's obviously your hero.
Let Mandela celebrates his birthday in any part of the world where he feels comfortable. This man had played his role as the man of the people. At age 90, what do you still expect mandela to do for the people of South africa? Let other people take the lead at this time. Mandela is on his way out of the world, let him enjoy himself and not be questioned by us.
If we are concern about the Africa continent, let us turn our energy on Robert mugabe in Zambabwe, who I considered a total disgrace to the continent.
Twuyesoe
Mandela is raising funds for hiv-positive children in SA, ao id doesnt matter where the funds get raised, as long as they get raised.
l revere umdala wethu but l cannot understand why his birthday big day should held in England instead of in, say, Durban, South Africa. Why indeed??? The economic benefits to the South African tourist industry would have been beyond imagination. All those wealth people booking in top hotels in the seafront etc etc.....not to mention other areas which may have benefitted. Can some one be good enough to enlighten me why this celebration was stolen by you know who.