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Stars perform at
Nelson Mandela gig
Stars including Annie Lennox, Queen and Leona Lewis are performing
at a concert in central London celebrating Nelson Mandela’s 90th
birthday.
The Soweto Gospel Choir and US singer Josh Groban also featured in
Hyde Park, where the gates have now opened.
As well as marking the former South African president’s birthday,
the concert will raise funds for Mr Mandela’s HIV/Aids charity
46664.
The concert will be screened in the UK, with a time delay, on ITV1
at 2100 BST.
“What better way to celebrate your 90th birthday than to have this
great concert - it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Groban told the BBC
News website.
“It’s going to be a great combination of the best pop artists today,
with some of the best traditional pop music in Africa right now,” he
said.
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A preview of the concert preparations
“Audiences are going to get a magnificent, eclectic, energetic
celebration of an extraordinary man.
“At 90 years old he still has the reach and inspiration and power to
make change. It really just goes to show us how strong his legacy
and his legend is.”
Other performers at the concert include Amy Winehouse, Sugababes,
Andrea and Sharon Corr, Eddy Grant and Simple Minds.
Many South African artists have also flown in for the birthday gig,
including Papa Wemba, Loyiso and Afrikaans singer Kurt Darren.
“Anybody who believes in peace or equality should come to this
concert,” said Groban, who is also an ambassador for 46664.
The 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.
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