Mandela Rocks Out for AIDS
Nelson Mandela is ready to rock for a worthy cause.
The fifth in a series of international concerts the civil rights leader's foundation has organized to raise awareness about AIDS will be held on World Aids Day, Dec. 1 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
"We are grateful that the City of Johannesburg has made it possible for 46664 to stage our first World Aids Day concert," Mandela said in a statement. "Johannesburg has long asked for a concert to be held here and I am happy that we can now deliver to the people of Johannesburg. We look forward to being joined by thousands of citizens on that day."
The former South African president's 46664 campaign is named for the number by which he was known as an inmate during his 27 years in prison. After he was released in 1990, he continued to use the number in his crusades on various social issues.
"The 46664 campaign has done great work in putting the global spotlight on the issue of HIV and AIDS," Mandela, 89, said Monday at a press conference at his Johannesburg offices. "We will continue to use celebrities from the world of music, sports and entertainment to speak to the youth about the disease."
The first 46664 concert was staged in Cape Town on Nov. 29, 2003, with artists including Beyoncé, Bob Geldof, Robert Plant, Bono and Jimmy Cliff participating.
Subsequent concerts have been held in George, South Africa, Spain and Norway.
The upcoming concert is expected to feature 30 to 35 artists, with a blend of local and international talent on the bill. Some 50,000 concertgoers are expected to attend. The lineup will be announced in the days to come.
So far, the concerts have raised about $3 million to benefit AIDS awareness.
An estimated 5.4 million South Africans are infected with the AIDS virus, more than any other country in the world. About 900 people die of the disease each day.
In addition to the upcoming World AidS Day concert in Johannesburg, Mandela has also announced a 46664 concert in London on June 27, 2008 to mark his 90th birthday.
The Big Picture
Walk This Way Michael J. Fox jams with Steven Tyler at a rockin' Parkinson's charity event in NYC
More PhotosMost Commented
- Twilight Rewind: Hot Dish From the Cast Last Year! (798)
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (771)
- Costars and Suits Give Robsten Their Blessings! (649)
- Blab Blab Blab: Is Twilight Sexist? (552)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (449)
- Why Won't Sarah Palin Go Away? (437)
- Bitch-Back! What's Brad Got to Do With It? (426)
- Is Ugly Betty Ending? And Who Gets the Girl? (399)
- Ridiculous Twilight Hookups in an "All Taken" Cast (348)
Top 10 Stories
- New Moon Makes a Lot of Money (But Not Quite Batman Money)
- Jon (Plus Flowers) & Kate Reunite to Put Finishing Touches on Divorce
- New Moon Eclipses Dark Knight!
- Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray & More Continue Singing Oprah's Praises
- Michael Jackson's Doc Shipped Propofol From Vegas to L.A., Records Show
- Unleashed Fangirls Derail Justin Bieber Appearance
- Miley Cyrus' Tour Bus in Deadly Crash
- Good News for Miley: She's Officially Not a Racist
- New Moon's "Absolutely Freakish" Debut
- Snipes Appeals Overly Taxing Prison Sentence
Fashion Police
Green With Envy?Not quite, but we do give Kristen props for this shot of color during her New Moon press tour
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...