Organizers: Nelson Mandela to attend concert in London

By Associated Press

May 6, 2008

LONDON -- Nelson Mandela plans to travel to London next month to attend a special birthday concert in London's Hyde Park, organizers said Tuesday.

The South African Nobel Prize-winner is retired and rarely makes public appearances, but a spokesman for Mandela's AIDS charity, Nick Southall, said he would attend the celebration.

Organizers for the June 27 concert said invitations to perform have been sent to the Sugababes, Annie Lennox and Razorlight.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, former U.S. President Clinton and talk-show host Oprah Winfrey also plan to attend.

Proceeds will go to the 46664 charity, a reference to the number Mandela wore while imprisoned by apartheid authorities. The charity raises money to fight AIDS.

The concert coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Free Mandela concert in London, whose organizers demanded that Mandela be freed from prison. Mandela turns 90 on July 18.

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