• June 28, 2008

Amy Winehouse performs at this year’s 46664 concert

Razorlight perform at the 46664 concert in Hyde Park. Photo by Paul Williams

Annie Lennox and Will Smith share a joke. Photo by Paul Williams

Britian’s Annie Lennox performs with South Africa’s Children of Agape Choir

Nelson Mandela smiles at the crowd at the 46664 concert. Photo by Paul Williams

Zucchero performs during the 46664 concert in Hyde Park, London. Photo by Paul Williams

When you think of a charity event you might conjure up in your mind’s eye a lot of smartly dressed people paying large sums of money for a plate of food.

What you might not think of is 46 664 screaming fans listening to some of the world’s greatest performing artists. But that’s exactly what happened on Friday night in Hyde Park, London, at the 46664 concert.

“It was awesome,” said concert-goer Andrea Eaton. “It was one of the best nights I’ve ever had.”

It was also a fitting tribute to a nation which had protested the imprisonment of Madiba during apartheid.

“The reason why Mr Mandela is coming to this concert is that it is his way of saying thank-you to the British people for the Free Nelson Mandela Concert at Wembley in 1988,” a 46664 spokesman told AFP on Friday.

As part of Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday celebrations, the concert in London set out to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as money for 46664-supported initiatives.

Fittingly, 46 664 tickets went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert, costing between £150 and £65 each – all which were snapped up by the eager concertgoers.

Hollywood actor and hip hop legend Will Smith, along with his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, presided over proceedings the highlight of which, according to Eaton, was Madiba’s address to the crowd.

“When Mandela came out ... oh my word ... the whole crowd was in tears. He’s an exceptional speaker,” said Eaton.

With almost every artist highlighting the fact that “AIDS is not a disease it’s a human rights issue”, something Mr Mandela is renowned for saying, Eaton said that the concert had certainly made her more aware of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. “I’ve thought about it obviously, but now I really understand just how important the fight against HIV/AIDS really is,” Eaton said.

Among the artists appearing on stage was Amy Winehouse, and South Africa’s Johnny Clegg, who “rocked the whole place”, according to Eaton.

Clegg was not the only South African to perform at the event with Kurt Darren, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Loyiso, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir all taking the stage. In addition to these artists, Britain’s Annie Lennox performed with the Children of Agape Choir, a choir from the Agape orphanage in South Africa.

Adding some African flavour to concert was Democratic Republic of Congo artist Papa Wemba, Sudanese rapper Emmanuel Jal and Kenyan diva Suzanna Owiyo.

Other performers included the Sugababes, Jamelia – who performed a duet with South Africa’s Loyiso – Josh Groban and Queen.

A host of celebrities, including formula one racing driver Lewis Hamilton, also appeared on the stage throughout the evening to reinforce HIV/AIDS awareness. In a pre-recorded message, Bono sang Happy Birthday and called for Nelson Mandela’s birthday to become a holiday, while The Edge from U2 played guitar.

In Mr Mandela’s speech, he encouraged concertgoers to make a difference in the world. “Where there is poverty and sickness, including AIDS, where human beings are being oppressed, there is more work to be done. Our work is for freedom for all ... We say tonight, 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.”