A star-studded cast of artists helped Nelson Mandela celebrate his 90th birthday with a giant concert in London on Friday in support of his 46664 AIDS campaign. If you are wondering why the campaign is named after the number 46664, it is because that was Mandela's prison number during his 27-year incarceration for trying to topple South Africa's apartheid regime. Queen, Amy Winehouse, Will Smith and Annie Lennox were among the performers in Hyde Park for the gig, which was broadcast around the world.
As Mandela walked on stage, Hollywood actor Will Smith led the crowd in a chorus of "Happy Birthday." The former South African president was received to rapturous applause from an emotional crowd, which fell silent when the global icon spoke. Mandela, who retired from public life nine years ago, is now expected to retreat further from the limelight. London was the scene of a concert 20 years ago to celebrate Mandela's 70th and to raise awareness of his imprisonment. Proceeds from the concert in London's Hyde Park will go toward the 46664 Campaign, which Mandela founded in 2003 to raise awareness about the impact of AIDS, especially in Africa, and to promote HIV-prevention measures around the world. Anglo-Swedish rockers Razorlight got the crowd going, before Scottish singer Lennox gave an impassioned speech about combating the virus. Troubled British soul singer Winehouse, who has been battling drug and lung problems, was also included in the performance list and she was back on form with a powerful performance. To close the show, Winehouse led the ensemble in a rendition of "Free Nelson Mandela", with the anti-apartheid anthem's writer Jerry Dammers on keyboards. Other guests at the concert included British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former U.S. President Clinton, talk show host Oprah Winfrey and actor Robert De Niro.
Mandela served as his country's first democratically elected president from 1994 to 1999. In recent years, he has campaigned on behalf of HIV and AIDS awareness and has long called the battle against AIDS a basic human right. In 1964, a court sentenced Mandela to life in prison for plotting to overthrow the government by violence. He spent the first 18 years at Robben Island Prison, off Cape Town, South Africa, and later spent time at Pollsmoor prison and Victor Verster Prison, closer to the mainland. While in prison, Mandela became recognized as the most significant black leader in South Africa, and he became a potent symbol of resistance in the anti-apartheid movement. Mandela consistently refused to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. South African President F.W. de Klerk released Mandela in February 1990 after 27 years in prison. Mandela was elected president of the African National Congress the following year, and in 1994, he was elected president of his country. [End of report]
I didn't get to watch the concert on television but I did managed to watch snippets of it on the news today and it was a great turnout. Precisely 46,664 tickets went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert and Im not sure whether it was a sold out but Im sure there was at least 40,000 people who turn out for the concert and why not? He is a great man, well respected not just in the African region but across the globe as well and he fully deserved the tribute that he got. It is amazing to know that even at his age, he is actively involve in HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, something that is very close to him. After his retirement, Mandela admitted that he may have failed his country by not paying more attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He has since taken many opportunities to highlight this South African and international tragedy which still exist until today. Mandela also lost a son to AIDS in January 2005.
Many people, particularly in Africa look upon him as an inspiration. It is because he is a leader who ended apartheid and he is a man who is willing to go to any extent to fight for the things that he strongly believed in, even if it means death. He has said in the past that he is even willing to die to achieve his goals of having a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. His birthday actually falls on July 18 so officially, he has not turn 90 yet but there is no problem having his birthday celebrations in advance. He still look in a good shape though at his age if you ask me. As much as he appreciate the big birthday celebration, I think the main purpose of the concern was to promote HIV/AIDS awareness which is still prevalent today especially in the African region. In South Africa alone, which is one of the countries worst-hit by HIV, there are about 5.41 million people living with the illness. That is why such campaign is important.
Anyway, the concert was also aimed at celebrating the life of one of the greatest person ever to live, so I would like to take the opportunity to wish Mr Nelson Mandela a Happy Birthday. May you be bless with a good health and a bright future ahead. You are a truly great man and a great inspiration to many.
*The report was taken from AFP & CNN.
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