MTHWAKAZI RADIO
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Mandela joins
stars at
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The
crowd sang a rendition of Happy Birthday to Mr
Mandela |
Nelson
Mandela joined music stars on stage at a concert in
As well as
marking the former South African president's personal milestone, the concert
raised funds for Mr Mandela's HIV/Aids charity
46664.
Mr Mandela told the crowd:
"Even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from
complete - our work is for freedom for all."
Up to 50,000
people watched stars including Amy Winehouse and
Queen.
Mr Mandela arrived on stage
flanked by stars of the show, including Geri Halliwell
and Leona Lewis.
The
46664 charity was named after the prison number which Mr Mandela was given
during the 27 years he spent behind bars for his stand against South African
apartheid.
Referring to the
Free Nelson Mandela concert at Wembley 20 years
ago, he said: "Many years ago there was a historic concert which called
for our freedom. Your voices carried across the water and inspired us in our
prison cells far away.
"Tonight we
can stand before you, free."
He added:
"But even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far
from complete.
"Where
there is poverty and sickness including Aids, where human beings are being
oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for
all."
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Amy
Winehouse was among those who performed at the
gig |
He added to
applause: "Friends and those watching all around the world,
please continue supporting our 46664 campaign.
"We say
tonight after nearly 90 years of life, it's time for new hands to lift the
burdens. It's in your hands now, I thank you."
Earlier, actor
Will Smith kicked off the concert with his wife Jada
Pinkett Smith, announcing: "The party begins
now."
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."
'Great man'
Lewis was one of
the biggest hits of the night, singing her ballad Bleeding Love as well as
Better In Time.
The X Factor
winner said: "When I was younger I remember my aunty and grandmother
used to tell me stories about this incredible, wonderful, great man, Nelson
Mandela.
"We used to
sing songs about him. It's incredible to sing here today at his 90th birthday
celebration. I feel so honoured, I just can't begin to explain."
Razorlight also performed, with frontman Johnny Borrell
speaking out against the situation in
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Leona
Lewis was popular with the audience in |
Formula One star
Lewis Hamilton introduced the Sugababes, describing
it as an "honour and a privilege" to be
at the concert.
The Sugababes, who prompted the crowd to wish Mr 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".
In a message to Mr Mandela, talking about HIV and Aids, she said:
"We must do something to prevent a virtual genocide upon your people."
Peter Gabriel
then introduced rapper Emmanuel Jal, a former child
soldier. Gabriel said the performer had the "potential of a young Bob
Marley".
Other performers
include Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant, the
Soweto Gospel Choir and Simple Minds.
Momentum
Winehouse defied her detractors
and left hospital for the evening to take to the stage.
Wearing a
"Blake" heart in her signature beehive style and a huge pair of
platform shoes, Winehouse sang her hits Rehab and
Valerie, drawing cheers and applause from the crowds.
The night was
brought to a climax with a rendition of The Special AKA hit Free Nelson
Mandela, written by Jerry Dammers, which became an
anti-apartheid anthem in the 1980s.
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Razorlight's Johnny Borrell got political on stage |
Many
African artists also flew in for the birthday gig, including Papa Wemba of DR Congo, and South African singers Loyiso and Kurt Darren.
Families travelled from across the
"We came to
be a part of the excitement," said Mrs McElhatton.