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Hyde Park birthday concert for Nelson Mandela
By Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard 06.05.08
Key role: Nelson Mandela with Annie Lennox who sang at the 1988 concert
Hyde Park bound: Leona Lewis is to perform at the event
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Nelson Mandela will appear at a massive concert in Hyde Park to celebrate his 90th birthday. The former South African president will join a crowd of precisely 46,664 — his old prison number and now the name of his Aids charity — for the show next month.
The line-up includes Queen, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Dame Shirley Bassey, Simple Minds and Razorlight are also booked to perform alongside Sugababes, Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, Italian star Zucchero and Spanish group Amaral. Organisers have promised further stars on the bill with Eminem, U2, Amy Winehouse and the Spice Girls all expected to participate.
A spokesman said: “Several major artists are keeping silent about their involvement in order to take both Mr Mandela and the audience by surprise.”
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mr Mandela says he is looking forward to the party. He said: “You all know that I am supposed to be retired. But 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.
“So, we have a bargain — I am going to London and they will host a concert in Hyde Park, which will raise awareness of our continuing work and much needed funds.”
Lennox played a key part in the foundation of 46,664 in 2003. She also performed at a concert in 1988 celebrating Mr Mandela's 70th birthday. He was released two years later after 27 years incarceration.
Former US president Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and US actors Robert De Niro and Forest Whitaker are among those attending on 27 June. Tickets are £65 each and go on sale this Friday. Those who register on the 46664 web-site before 6pm tonight will be able to buy pre-sale tickets from 9am tomorrow.
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Reader views (8)
There are a lot people longing to know whether a certain Mr JG will be making a surprise appearance.
As an ambassador for Mr Mandala's 46664 charity - we're really hoping so! If you don't know and love JG you won't mind and if you do - then the not knowing is agony!
- Norma Huxter, Halstead, Essex UK
I just read that Mandela is officially retired but has agreed to the concert to raise funds for the charities he founded.
My last post was awesome. Where did it go?
- Pam, NC USA
What has he done for his people? Are you serious? Pick up a history book sweetie!
Nelson Mandela is one of the greatest men to have ever lived, serving as a political icon, activist, philanthropist, and speaker to people of all nations. He spent 27 years in prison for his efforts to battle apartheid then became the South African president for 5 years.
If the man wants to wear a loud shirt, so be it.
- Pam, NC USA
Tata Madiba Rolihlahla Mandela has done so much for South Africa. Who would have thought the transition of power from the apartheid government to the democratically elected government would have been so peaceful and smooth. Today, millions of South Africans live in their own houses and the economy in my opinion is doing good. 13 is to 1 to a pound. That's not bad at all. There is nothing so great than living in a free country when one is not segregated because of the colour of his skin.
Happy birthday Madiba! Viva Madiba Viva! Please live long.
- Djkg, Bradford,UK,South African
Nelson Mandela is African and I have not found an African on the bill to perform. what happened to Anjelique Kidjo, Hugh Masakela, Asa, kezaih Jones etc. I think its amazing how they switch these great musician for Leona Lewis who is basically only an entertainer. am afraid Africa is being used for publicity as always but I am sure the tables will turn one day.
- Juliet, Lyon France
Queen?
Would that be the same Queen who put money before principles and ignored the cultural boycott of apartheid South Africa to play Sun City?
- Mike, Bradford, UK
Great man ? Yeah right - services to loud shirts and collecting more air miles than anyone else - what has this man actually done for his people ?
- Julie, E17
I'm slightly concerned that this great man is being taken advantage of in his old age.
I find it hard to believe that a man with such dignity and poise feels it necessary to have such an ostentatious celebration.
I just hope he hasn't been coerced into this by unscrupulous record companies and artists all too happy to use his good name to promote their crappy wares.
Mandela will always be a beacon of humanity and grace in my eyes and I don't need U2 or Leona Lewis to tell me that.
- Will, London
