London
28 June 2008
Nelson Mandela is no stranger to London. The city loves the SouthAfrican statesman and Friday night nearly 50,000 gathered in London'sHyde Park to celebrate his 90th birthday. From the British capital, TomRivers reports.
Back in 1988, this reporter remembers this songbeing sung at a concert held in Nelson Mandela's honor at the oldWembley stadium. Back then Nelson Mandela was still a prisoner of theapartheid regime.
The tone of that concert was one offrustration. This concert by contrast was one of celebration. And amidthe various musical acts, Mandela himself took to the stage.
"Twentyyears ago, London hosted an historic concert which called for ourfreedom," he recalled. "Your voices carried across the water toinspire us in our prison cells far away. Tonight, we can stand beforeyou free. We are honored to be back in London for this wonderfuloccasion, celebration. But even as we celebrate let us remind ourselvesthat our work is far from complete."
The man who wouldeventually be released from prison in 1990 and be elected the firstblack president of South Africa four years later was referring to hiscampaign these days of preventing the spread of AIDS.
"After nearly 90 years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now. I thank you," he said.
Hisbirthday is actually not until next month, but the logistics of theLondon concert meant that it made more sense to hold it a couple ofweeks early. And to a man who has seen so much in his long life, thethousands in Hyde Park raised their voices.
The star-studded event featured the likes of Amy Winehouse, Eddy Grant and Johnny Clegg.
Organizers vow that the work of Mandela's AIDS charity will go on.