Although he last year announced his retirement from public life, Nelson Mandela promised on Thursday to attend a March 19 concert to raise money to fight AIDS among women in South Africa. "We know that young women are six times more likely to be infected by the virus in comparison to men. Six times more," the former South African President said at a news conference. The concert will be staged in George, about 250 miles from Cape Town. Will Smith will be master of ceremonies; performers will include Annie Lennox, Katie Melua and India Arie, plus Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor. The event will be the second of Mandela's 46664 concerts; the number is a reference to one Mandela was assigned during his 27 years as a political prisoner. The first concert, held in Cape Town in 2003, has yet to cover its costs, but more income is expected from DVD sales.

Back to other news for February 18, 2005

Search the Newsroom archive