We come together to celebrate the 90th birthday of one great man at one amazing concert
ABOUT THE CONCERT
6th June 2008 - Multi-million selling classical pop singer Josh Groban, legendary folk rock singer Joan Baez, and a special appearance by Jerry Dammers, one of the organisers of Artists Against Apartheid and Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert and whose song ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ became a banner for the 80’s anti-apartheid movement in UK, are further highlights added to the forthcoming Nelson Mandela 90th birthday concert.
The announcement comes only a week after singer Amy Winehouse confirmed she was adding her voice to those who will show their support for Mr Mandela and his 46664 organisation by taking part.
The three newly confirmed artists will join a performance line-up that already includes Queen + Paul Rodgers, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, Leona Lewis, Sugababes and Razorlight, along with more than a dozen of Africa’s most highly regarded artists including Johnny Clegg, Soweto Gospel Choir and Papa Wemba.
President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro, Forest Whitaker and Lewis Hamilton will also be in attendance.
On the advice of her surgeon, Dame Shirley Bassey will now not be able to perform as scheduled, at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert. The Dame is hugely disappointed and was looking forward to the show immensely. Dame Shirley has been advised not to travel at the present time, so as to aid her continued full recovery following surgery last month.
Concert proceeds will go to the 46664 campaign which raises awareness about the impact of AIDS, especially in Africa, and promotes effective HIV prevention measures throughout the world.
Mr. Mandela 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.”
As his final public engagement, Mr. Mandela’s appearance at the concert is sure to be emotional. His message is that we can all help to carry on his work: “It’s in our hands”.
The 46664 Concert honouring Nelson Mandela at 90
27 June, Hyde Park, London
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ABOUT NELSON MANDELA
Nelson Mandela was incarcerated in 1964 for being one of the primary leaders of the liberation movement against apartheid in South Africa, and for his impassioned stance on the rights of everyone to live in freedom.
His prison number whilst he served 18 years of his 27 years of incarceration on the notorious Robben Island was prisoner number 466/64.
He was finally released in 1991 and went on to become the first democratically elected President of South Africa from 1994-1999. During his Presidency, Mr. Mandela was a key figure on the international stage fighting social injustices and leading the reconciliation process in his own country.
The onset of HIV AIDS in the late 80’s and early 90’s, which has severely affected South Africa where it is estimated that 5.5 million people are living with the disease, plus his passion for social justice and the right for everyone to have an education - has continued to form much of Nelson Mandela’s work since his retirement from the presidency in 1999, and even since his retirement from public life in 2004.
"AIDS is no longer just a disease, it's a human rights issue" - Nelson Mandela
To find out more about Nelson Mandela’s work with his charity, 46664, go to www.46664.com or our FAQ page.