Queen, Razorlight, Leona Lewis, Amy Winehouse and a host of African stars put on an outdoor show hosted by Will Smith on Friday in London's Hyde Park in honor of Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday on July 18.
Josh Groban and the Soweto Gospel Choir also performed at the event, which comes 20 years after a 70th birthday concert for an absent Mandela at London's Wembley Stadium. Mandela, an anti-aparthied activist, had at that point been imprisoned in South Africa for 25 years. He told Friday’s crowd that that concert made a big difference in his eventual release and the fight against the racist system, which was dismantled in the early 1990s.
"Your voices carried across the water to inspire us in our prison cells far away," said Mandela, who received the biggest cheers of the night. "We are honored to be back in London for this wonderful celebration. But even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete."
Mandela was released from prison in 1990 after spending 27 years behind bars. He was elected South Africa’s first black president in 1994 and retired from politics in 1999. He has since campaigned to prevent the spread of AIDS.
Proceeds from the show — for which there were 46,664 tickets — are going to 46664, the AIDS charity named for the number Mandela wore in prison.
Mandela looked frail and leaned on a cane as he was helped onto the stage by his wife, Graca Machel. But his brief speech brought thunderous applause.
"Where there is poverty and sickness including AIDS, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done," Mandela said. "Our work is for freedom for all.
"We say tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now."
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article