Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - Thursday, December 19, 2002
Zandile Nkuta
The February 2 concert -- featuring artists such as U2's Bono, Shaggy, Queen, and Macy Gray -- will be held within the walls of the island prison, which is now a World Heritage site.
Organizers say the 84-year-old Mandela will walk onto the stage to the tune of a new song "48864," the number he wore as a prisoner during his time on the island.
"It's a great way to close...to chant this number and get Nelson Mandela to walk onto the stage and be able to speak to the world about HIV/AIDS and the number," Dave Stewart, one half of The Eurythmics and music coordinator for "Mandela SOS," told reporters on a conference call.
Stewart said the song was penned by himself, Bono, and Joe Strummer of The Clash, and will be on a "Mandela SOS" album.
Mandela, who admits he still finds it difficult to say the word "condom" in public, has become a leading AIDS awareness campaigner since he retired as South Africa's first black president in 1999.
At least one in nine South Africans, or about 4.8 million people in a population of 43 million, has the disease or is infected with the HIV virus that causes it.
Researchers say up to seven million people could die of AID-related illness by 2010.
South Africa's ruling African National Congress put AIDS at the top of its development agenda on Thursday, saying the deadly pandemic could derail all other efforts to build the nation.
The concert will televised globally with all funds raised going to The Nelson Mandela Foundation, the United Nations' program UNAIDS, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Robben Island Museum.
Organizers denied that the choice of Robben Island showed a lack of respect for the site as a shrine to the victims of apartheid.
"I don't believe at all that the concert is disrespectful of the victims of apartheid. Quite the contrary, it is a reminder of what apartheid meant to people who suffered through that system. We are going back to make that connection," said Ned O'Hanlon, the concert's executive producer.
Tickets will be free and distributed by competition or lottery, details of which will be announced shortly.
The Robben Island event will be beamed to a simultaneous concert venue at Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town, which has a capacity of 35,000 people.
Other artists confirmed for the concert include Nelly Furtado, Jimmy Cliff, Coldplay, Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti, Yusuf Islam, Ludacris, Lamya and Deborah Cox.
Several South African musicians -- including Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg and Yvonne Chaka Chaka -- will perform as well.
021219
RE021227
Copyright © 2002 - Reuters, Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Contact Reuters.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .