Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela arrived in London on Monday for a week of events to celebrate his 90th birthday. The actual birthday is on July 18. On his itinerary is a outdoor concert in his honor in Hyde Park on Friday with 46,664 people will be in attendance. Proceeds from the concert will go to his charity 46664, the AIDS charity named for the number Mandela wore while imprisoned by South Africa's apartheid authorities. Mandela has visited London many times, and has expressed gratitude to the people of Great Britain for their constant vigils that were held outside the South African Embassy during his years in prison.
The number 46664 (pronounced four, double six, six four) was Nelson Mandela's prison number when he was imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in South Africa. He was jailed in 1964 for 27 years for leading the liberation movement against apartheid and for his impassioned stance on the rights of everyone to live in freedom. He was prisoner number 466, imprisoned in 1964. The Robben Island prisoners were never referred to by their names, but rather by their numbers and year of imprisonment – hence 46664 was Nelson Mandela's number.
The concert coincides with the 20th anniversary of London's Free Mandela concert, held to demand his freedom from prison. Mandela was released in 1990.
Protesters had planned to demonstrate at the concert and demand that Mandela speak out against Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe regime. But the former president quenched concerns last night when he finally broke his silence at a dinner speech, accusing Mugabe of being a "tragic failure of leadership" in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, British supermodel Naomi Campbell who is active in Mandela's charity, 46664, has been removed from the guest list due to her recent air rage conviction.
After the June 27th concert, the world’s favorite statesman has said he does not plan to appear in public again.
Happy 90th Birthday Madiba
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Happy 90th Mr. Nelson Mandela. May God Bless!
Mr. Mandela, although 27 out of those 90 years were taken away, you exemplified leadership and compassion for your so-called enemies.
May God Bless You As You celebrate your 90th Birthday.