BRITAIN:ALMOST 50,000 voices sang birthday greetings in London last night to Nelson Mandela, who turns 90 on July 18th. Leaning on a stick, Mr Mandela listened to the singing that resonated across London's Hyde Park, accompanied by his wife, Graça Machel.
"Friends," he said, "20 years ago London hosted a historic concert that called for our freedom. Your voices carried across the water and inspired us in our prison cells far away.
"We are honoured to be back in London for this wonderful celebration, but even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete."
A stellar cast of musicians, performers and dignitaries from around the world gathered for a glittering concert in honour of the South African statesman.
The concert was organised by the 46664 organisation, which campaigns to fight Aids. Mr Mandela's prison number was 46664 when he was jailed for 27 years for his involvement in the struggle against the apartheid regime in South Africa. This was also the number of tickets sold for last night's event.
Former Irish president and UN High Commissioner Mary Robinson told The Irish Timesshe was delighted to be joining Mr Mandela to celebrate on the occasion of his 90th birthday and of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "I think the whole world recognises Nelson Mandela. He is admired for his principles, his moral courage. He has stood for these values in his own country and he has brought them to other countries . . . that is why I am here to honour him."
Along with Mr Mandela, Ms Robinson is a member of the Elders, a group set up in 2007 by Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu as an advisory group who contribute their leadership to tackling the world's biggest problems.
Mr Mandela has not been politically active for the past five years, but at a birthday dinner in London on Thursday, he made a guarded but much-awaited statement on the political situation unfolding in Zimbabwe, calling Robert Mugabe's regime "a tragic failure of leadership".
At last night's event he refrained from making any outright political statements. "Where human beings are being oppressed there is more work to be done . . . our work is for freedom for all," he said during his brief appearance on stage.
He urged the audience and listeners around the world to support 46664. "After ninety years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens."
Many of the artists who performed last night are not old enough to remember Mr Mandela's leadership of the anti-apartheid movement, but they were all unrestrained in their vocal admiration for the man, widely considered to be the biggest star among them.
"When I was younger I remember my auntie and grandmother used to tell me stories about this incredible, wonderful great man, Nelson Mandela," said local London star Leona Lewis. There was no diva behaviour on-stage last night. An uncharacteristic air of humility pervaded the performances of the stellar line-up, which included Amy Winehouse, Andrea Corr, Peter Gabriel and Simple Minds. "It was a bit like getting ready for a school concert, but there are no egos, it's something much bigger than that," said Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr.
Almost all spoke of their gratitude for being invited to perform and of their deep admiration for the man who has become a symbol of tolerance, equality and political justice.
A number of South African artists also travelled to perform, among them Kurt Darren and Loyiso Bala, an R'n'B star who is also a representative of the 46664 charity. There was a jubilant, carnival atmosphere in Hyde Park and the audience participation showed a rare unity and respect between audience, performers and the man they were honouring. Even Hyde Park's Speaker's Corner, famous for its population of angry protesters, was lined with a small gathering of well-wishers, holding placards emblazoned with birthday wishes for Mr Mandela.
For the concert's finale, all the artists gathered onstage to sing the Specials's Free Nelson Mandela to tumultuous accompaniment by the audience. The song evoked memories of Mr Mandela's 70th birthday concert in London's Wembley Stadium in 1988, when he was still in prison. But last night the song was sung in joyful celebration, not in protest.