SOUTH AFRICA: PRESIDENT MANDELA AND HIS WIFE GRACA MACHEL APPEAR AT A ROCK CONCERT

Record ID: 387671

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: PRESIDENT MANDELA AND HIS WIFE GRACA MACHEL APPEAR AT A ROCK CONCERT
  • Date: 25th July 1998
  • Summary: U.S. ARTISTS STEVIE WONDER AND KENNY LATTIMORE SINGING FOR MANDELA AND GRACA.
  • Embargoed: 9th August 1998 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVACEA5SDNSTOUD3S1YBN8178JC
  • Story Text: South African President Nelson Mandela and his wife, Graca Machel made a surprise appearance at a rock concert in Johannesburg, held to celebrate his 80th birthday.

    More than 20 000 people partied along with 'Madiba', a clan name by which Mandela is affectionately known, his new bride and artists such as Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Salif Keita and Skunk Anansie on Saturday (July 25th) night.

    "The nation, and almost each and everybody in this country has given us wonderful support," Mandela told the crowd.

    Earlier, British rock act Skunk Anansie said they were very honoured to be asked to play at the concert and still more so to meet Mandela himself.Singer Skin said there was a lot of talent in South Africa and she had enjoyed hearing local musicians.

    Skunk with her trademark shaved head, donned a huge fake fur coat as she duetted with US soul songstress Chaka Khan for Khan's hit 'Ain't Nobody' for a delighted crowd.

    Wearing a Russian-style fur hat to keep out the relative cold of a Johnannesburg windter evening, the South African President was met with uproarious applause as he walked on stage with his new wife Graca Machela.Some audience members carried placards reading 'we love you'.

    Mandela seemed delighted with an impromptu acapella duet sung by Stevie Wonder and US artist Kenny Lattimore and even more so when Wonder sang 'Happy Birthday' for him.He gave Stevie a big bear hug to say thanks.

    On Friday (July 24) Wonder talked to the press and used the occasion to urge the new democracy in South Africa to show the world a lead by proving that 'when you all win, you all win'.
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