New York gears up for inaugural Mandela Day concert

President Bill Clinton escorts Graça Machel to the Mandela Day gala dinner held at Vanderbilt Hall in New York on Wednesday

July 17, 2009 – The build up to the inaugural Mandela Day concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York has been marked by a number of events highlighting the message behind the initiative.

The campaign, which is supported by all of Nelson Mandela’s charities, encourages people to continue Nelson Mandela’s legacy by “making an imprint” and getting involved in their own communities – ultimately creating a better world for all. Mandela Day will be marked by a star-studded concert which will happen tomorrow, on Mr Mandela’s 91st birthday.

As part of the build up to the concert a number of events have taken place in New York City, including a luncheon today hosted by the South African consul general to New York, Fikile Magubane, to celebrate Mr Mandela’s birthday and to encourage support for the campaign.

Other highlights have included: on Wednesday, July 15, the clean up of Sarah D Roosevelt Park, as part of an week-long initiative to clean up parks in New York City, as well as an exhibition in Grand Central Terminal about the legacy and work of Mr Mandela. The exhibition has so far attracted over 2500 people a day.

On Wednesday, July 15, a star-studded Mandela Day Gala dinner and auction were hosted by former United States President Bill Clinton and Mr Mandela’s wife, Graça Machel.

“The world owes Madiba three debts,” said President Clinton at the dinner. “One that he gave 27 years in prison because he felt he could not be free unless all South Africans were free. [Two] we owe him for coming out from prison an even better person than when he went in – the ultimate lesson on how to live. [Three] we owe him for leaving public office with grace, but continuing with his responsibilities.

“We are not here to feel good about ourselves,” he reminded his audience, “we’re here to fulfill his mission.”

President Clinton then introduced Machel.

“This initiative reminds us that if we put our minds to it we can do great things,” Mrs Machel said. “The initiative aims to debunk the notion that only great people can do great things ... Mandela Day is a new initiative, which will carry the message and legacy of Nelson Mandela forward.

“We are touched,” she said of the gathered guests, “that you have made it possible for the inaugural Mandela Day to take place in New York.”

Today the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s CEO Achmat Dangor and notable philanthropists gathered at Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal to talk about their work, showing how their organisations are making an imprint and encouraging their audience to do the same.

The week’s events culminate in the Mandela Day concert being held at Radio City Hall in New York tomorrow. Some of the key performers for the concert include: Wyclef Jean, Loyiso, Josh Groban, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Lil’ Kim. The concert intends to raise awareness and funds for the work of the three Nelson Mandela charities: the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.