Fans mark Mandela's 91st birthday - News in brief - Evening Standard
       

Fans mark Mandela's 91st birthday

Nelson Mandela's fans around the world are celebrating the anti-apartheid campaigner's 91st birthday by emulating him.

The former South African president urged people to spend time doing good on the first "Mandela Day".

His charity foundation hopes it will become an annual event, with people worldwide taking on such projects as reading to the blind, distributing blankets to the homeless, or refurbishing homes for Aids orphans.

Projects in South Africa include a drive to collect clothing for poor children and renovation of a building in downtown Johannesburg for people left homeless by a fire.

In New York, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin were among stars performing at a Mandela Day concert, with proceeds going to Mr Mandela's Aids foundation.

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