Emotional Mandela seeks to pass baton in his lifelong struggle

June 27th, 2008 | EthioPolitics.com |

(Picture - Nelson Mandela, left, waves from the stage, as U.S. actor Will Smith smiles from behind, at the 46664 charity concert in honour of Mandela’s 90th birthday in London, Friday, June 27, 2008. The former South African president Mandela’s 90th birthday falls on July 18.AP Photo)
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LONDON (AFP) — Nelson Mandela made an emotional appeal Friday for new leaders to take forward his lifelong struggle against poverty, sickness and oppression, in a speech at his 90th birthday concert in London.

[AP Video 1] - [AP Video 2] - [Speech]

Joined on stage by all the artists performing, Mandela said it was time for “new hands to lift the burdens.”

Mandela, who retired from public life nine years ago, is expected to retreat further from the limelight after he turns 90 on July 18, and hand over the reins of his 46664 campaign against HIV/AIDS.

Introduced by US movie star Will Smith, Mandela was welcomed on stage by rapturous applause.

[AP Video 1] - [AP Video 2] - [Speech]

Dressed in a black shirt with a 46664 logo, and black trousers, Mandela took more than a minute to walk to the podium, with one hand on a walking stick and his other arm around his wife Graca Michel.

Mandela smiled as Smith led the audience through a round of “Happy Birthday To You.”

Joined on stage at London’s Hyde Park by all the concert’s performers, he smiled broadly and waved as he reached the podium.

[AP Video 1] - [AP Video 2] - [Speech]

Mandela began by reflecting on the 70th birthday concert held at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1988.

“Friends, 20 years ago, London hosted a historic concert which called for our freedom. Your voices carried across the water to inspire us in our prison cells far away,” the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said.

“Tonight, we can stand before you, free. We are honoured to be back in London for this wonderful celebration.

“But even as we celebrate, let us remind ourselves that our work is far from complete.

“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.

“Friends, and those watching all around the world, please continue supporting our 46664 campaign.

[AP Video 1] - [AP Video 2] - [Speech]

“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.”

At the instigation of his wife, he waved to the audience, who gave him three cheers as he slowly left the stage with his hand on his wife’s shoulder.

A star-studded cast of artists, including Amy Winehouse and Annie Lennox, performed at the concert, with Queen and Paul Rodgers slated to follow them.

Precisely 46,664 tickets — after Mandela’s prison number during his 27-year incarceration for trying to topple South Africa’s apartheid regime — went on sale for the three-and-a-half-hour concert.

Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, Genesis legend Peter Gabriel and British actor Stephen Fry were among the celebrities introducing the artists.

[AP Video 1] - [AP Video 2] - [Speech]