Nelson Mandela’s AIDS Charity Announces Benefit Concert

Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, announced on Monday that a group of local and international musicians would perform at a concert in Johannesburg to raise money for his 46664 AIDS charity.

The concert will coincide with World AIDS Day (December 1) and is an offshoot of similar shows that have been held in South Africa, Spain and Norway. Speaking at a press conference at his foundation in Johannesburg, the Nobel laureate said,

“Today, we are happy to announce that 46664 will stage a similar concert here in Johannesburg on the First of December on World AIDS Day,”

46664 is Mandela’s prison number assigned to him during the 27 years he spent in jail. Profit’s from the charity’s event will help fund HIV/AIDS awareness and outreach programs throughout southern Africa - the centre of the world wide AIDS epidemic.

50,000 people are expected to attend the concert in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium with tickets selling from 120 rand ($17.50) to 450 rand ($65.40). A list of performers will be released later this month.

1,000 South Africans die each day from AIDS with another 1,500 contracting the virus. A shocking 12% of Africa’s 47 million people are infected.

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