In a wonderful night of celebration , around 50,000 people gathered at Hyde Park in London to attend a concert to mark the 90th birthday of South African leader Nelson Mandela.

Mandela the leader of the Anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa is an immensely popular political figure across the continents. Nowadays he campaigns for the prevention and treatment of AIDS in South Africa.

A star-studded cast of artists helped Nelson Mandela celebrate his 90th birthday in support of his 46664 AIDS campaign. 46664 is Mandela’s prison number given during the 27 years, he spent behind bars for his stand against South African apartheid.

The man who would eventually be released from prison in 1990 and be elected the first black president of South Africa four years later was referring to his campaign these days of preventing the spread of AIDS.

“After nearly 90 years of life, it is time for new hands to lift the burdens. It is in your hands now. I thank you,” he said.

Queen, Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox and Simple Minds were among the performers in Hyde Park for the gig, which was hosted by Hollywood star Will Smith and was held to mark Mandela’s birthday on July 18.

The night of celebrations came to a climax with a rendition of the ‘Special AKA hit Free Nelson Mandela‘, written by Jerry Dammers, which became an anti-apartheid anthem in the 1980s.