Nelson Mandela’s Aids Benefit concert, 46664, took place in South Africa on Saturday, and a host of stars were on hand to help. The concert was hosted by Will Smith, who shared the stage with local musicians Johnny Clegg, Mafikizolo and Kabelo, as well as those from further afield, Katie Melua, Paul Rodgers,
Queen and India Arie, plus former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox who told the crowd: ‘In this society women are powerless and vulnerable to the whims of men who refuse to practice safe sex and use condoms.’
The theme of the concert was Women And Aids. Mandela, who is 86, took to the stage accompanied by an HIV positive woman, Gertrude
Maqanda, and said: "I would love to enjoy the peace and quiet of retirement but I know that, like many of you, I cannot rest easily while our beloved continent is ravaged by a deadly epidemic."
Mr
Mandela confirmed that $1.6m (£832,000) was raised during the concert by people donating money via text messages, all proceeds of which will go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation to combat HIV.