Stars pay tribute to legend Mandela
Stars play at Mandela’s 90th birthday concert
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SOME of the music industry’s biggest stars took to the stage in Hyde Park to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela.
Leona Lewis, Queen, Annie Lennox, Peter Gabriel and Razorlight were among the artists performing last night at Mr Mandela’s 90th birthday concert in London.
And defying her detractors troubled singer Amy Winehouse drew cheers from the crowds by singing at Mr Mandela’s birthday concert days after leaving hospital.
Mr Mandela told the crowd at the concert it was time for “new hands to lift the burdens” of human suffering.
Looking frail but smiling, the political icon was helped on to the stage and used a stick as he delivered his birthday speech.
Among the audience was Prince William’s girlfriend Kate Middleton, who watched with friends near the front of the stage.
Mr Mandela, who did not mention the crisis in Zimbabwe in his speech, told the audience: “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.”
The event took place 20 years after a 70th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium galvanised momentum for the end of apartheid.
Mr Mandela was finally released from prison in 1990 after 27 years behind bars and elected president of a democratic South Africa in 1994.
Will Smith and wife Jada Pinkett Smith had earlier opened the concert, going down a storm with the crowds.
Stars including David Beckham also sent video messages.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also at the concert, which was held to raise funds for Mr Mandela’s HIV Aids charity 46664.
“He is simply an inspiration,” he said. “You know when you go into a room and you meet Nelson Mandela you are in the presence of a great man - the greatest man of our generation.”
