Soweto Gospel Choir invited to Mandela tributes
The Soweto Gospel Choir has been invited to perform at two separate international Nelson Mandela tributes in February and March, 2014. The first performance will take place on 13 February in New York, with Morgan Freeman and former American President Bill Clinton. The other will take place on 3 March at Westminster Abbey in London, alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu and others.
On 13 February, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and CultureHorde will host a tribute concert in honour of Nelson Mandela - celebrating his life and legacy, and the 20th anniversary of democratic freedom in South Africa. Morgan Freeman and South African radio and TV personality Gareth Cliff will host the evening, taking the audience through the life and times of Mandela.
Dramatic readings from the original transcripts of Mandela's letters, speeches and personal writings will be performed by Morgan Freeman. These readings will be accompanied by the Soweto Gospel Choir, which will fill the cathedral with songs that honour Mandela's life and vision.
Finally, President Bill Clinton will give a special tribute speech to Nelson Mandela and the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, celebrating Mandela's life and all that has been accomplished in South Africa in the 20 years since democracy was realised. All of the evening's proceeds will benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation's Centre for Memory.
Unique honour
The second tribute is set to be quite unique as it's unusual for a foreign citizen to be honoured with a national memorial service at Westminster Abbey, London. Reports have suggested that the Queen asked for this because she could not attend his funeral. The Queen was "deeply saddened" by the passing of Mandela as they formed a close friendship over the years.
There was a service at the abbey to give thanks for democracy in South Africa after the election in 1994.Madiba also paid a visit long before he became president. The memorial service was due to take place in February, but has been rescheduled for 3 March. That is so that President Zuma can attend; Archbishop Desmond Tutu is also expected.
