Hyde Park concert to mark Mandela's 90th
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
More pictures
Print
Email
Nelson Mandela is to make a rare public appearance in London next month for a Live Aid-style concert to mark his 90th birthday, it was announced today.
The former South African president, who has retired from public life, will be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of pop and politics at the Hyde Park event, organisers said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former US President Bill Clinton, talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and British Formula One star Lewis Hamilton are among those expected to attend.
An eclectic line-up of performers at the concert on 27 June is due to include Queen, the Sugababes, Dame Shirley Bassey, Razorlight, Jamelia and two of the Corrs.
Proceeds will go to Mr Mandela's 46664 campaign which raises awareness about Aids in Africa and elsewhere, taking its name from the former president's prison number during his captivity on Robben Island.
A total of 46,664 tickets will be issued, going on sale on Friday.
The gathering will also tie in with the 20th anniversary of the June 1988 Free Mandela concert in London.
Some of those taking part such as Simple Minds and Annie Lennox - through Eurythmics - took part in that event.
Organisers are also promising a few surprise appearances.
The event is likely to be a landmark for Mr Mandela who will use the concert to step down from his campaign work at the 46664 organisation.
In a message on the 46664 website he said: "You all know that I am supposed to be retired but when you retire it means that you can have time for birthdays.
"My friends and the charitable organisations that bear my name want to use my 90th birthday year to raise funds to continue our work and so of course I want to help them.
"London wants to celebrate my birthday and I said I would go if they would raise funds for our charities.
"So, we have a bargain - I am going to London and they there will host a concert in Hyde Park, which will raise awareness of our continuing work and much needed funds."
Mr Mandela is 90 on 18 July. Events will be held around the world to mark the birthday.
Comments
12 Comments
I think It is important for people to respect some World leaders. President mandela played a significant political role, during the aparthied era in South Africa.The former World leader leads a very private life now. It is important to distinguish the differences between doemestic and international politics. I feel Nelson Mandela, should not be drawn into the Zimbabwe saga. For the ignorant read the Lancaster treaty between Britain and Zimbabwe? The genocide today and the unfortunate killings the of white farmers some years back, have all been fueled by the British Government. Lets us not contribute from vague backgrounds and opinions? Am appealing to those that have planned to attend the June 27 concert to go ahead and support the cause. Do not be mislead by empty criticisms. Bravo concert organisers
Posted by Brian Malama | 11.05.08, 00:50 GMT
Mmmm Why? What's he ever done for this country?
Posted by JD | 06.05.08, 21:22 GMT
It's like the Rolling Stones.....time to retire. Mandela is the last throw of a very tired and discredited left wing politics that failed way-back-when and is failing Africa now. Tribal and Communist politics make for happy bed-fellows for the elite chiefs but does nothing for the indians. SA is on its knees, boiling with racial tension and certainly if this is the legacy, perhaps we should have a wake instead? Let the guy grow old with dignity or else tell the real story instead of this constructed media hype.
But, this is more about the British the bleeding heart liberals needing their media tarts. Whoever said they were grounded in reality?!
Posted by Aslan | 06.05.08, 18:35 GMT
Hey Malcolm thanks for that comment. I guess you would prefer if Aparthied had never been abolished.
Whats the matter, missing your swimming pool and maid?
Dry your eyes my boy.
Stop posting on websites please, you are making us look bad.
Posted by Tim | 06.05.08, 17:45 GMT
Mandela and the whole left wing hype that goes with him is a joke.
Mandela's cronies in the ANC have robbed Africa since they came to power. In many ways they are worse then the old apartheid system. At least in those days tourists could walk Joburg, Cape Town etc were safe to walk around at night.
Mandela and his cronies also failed the poor of South Africa (Black and White) - they are still living in ramshackle housing while the new black ruling class live off the fat of the land.
In addition for a very long time Mandela and his ANC cronies tried to pretend that the AIDS epidemic didn't exisit.
Finally Mandela and his ANC cronies have sat on their hands while people have been starved and killed by the black Stalin called Mugabe.
Mandela is no saint and it is a disgrace that his statue stands in Trafalgar Square.
The people who plan to attend this concert to pray before this false idol should be ashamed of themselves and remember the poor and starving people in Africa
Posted by malcolm | 06.05.08, 15:55 GMT
How correct is it for Bill Clinton to be involved with a named(in the U.S.) terrorist? Won't this affect his wife,Hillarious',attempt to become Commander-in-Chief of the sole Super power?
Hail to the Chief,Canada.
Posted by Ron von Buchenroder | 06.05.08, 15:42 GMT
Nelson Mandela has sat on his hands while the people of Zimbabwe have suffered. If he spoke out the world would listen. Shame.
Posted by C Osborn | 06.05.08, 15:22 GMT
Um, Africa's problems are the whole reason he's doing it David. You clearly haven't read the article at all. Why don't you try the link in the story (http://www.46664.com/) and learn something?
Posted by George | 06.05.08, 14:41 GMT
Given the state Africa is in I would have thought that he had more important things on his mind. More backslapping nonesense while Africa screams in agony.
Posted by David | 06.05.08, 13:12 GMT
Still, one man's freedom fighter is another's terrorist, non? Only Joking melson old boy- and kudox for all the charity work
Posted by Bob | 06.05.08, 13:11 GMT
12 Comments