Mandela Day is a call for people around the world to honour Nelson Mandela’s inspiration and values. The hope is that people will observe the day annually not as a holiday, but as a day to opt in and realise their potential to make a difference to the world.

The concert will bring together artists like Dave Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Wyclef Jean, Queen Latifah, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Josh Groban, Cyndi Lauper, Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Jesse McCartney, TLC, The Soweto Gospel Choir, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Chris Chameleon, Freshlyground, Emmanuel Jal, Loyiso, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswa Mazwai and Suzanna Owiyo.

Actors and Hollywood heavyweights have also pledged their support for the campaign and Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone and Susan Sarandon will be at the concert showing their support for this worthy cause. 

“The City of New York is honoured to host the inaugural Mandela Day,” said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“Nelson Mandela has spent a lifetime fighting injustice and it is fitting to set aside a day each year to celebrate and recognise his legacy. I am especially pleased that service is playing such a large part in Mandela Day and encourage all New Yorkers to recognise this day as a chance to give back to their communities,” he said.

Tim Massey, International Director of 46664, said, “Mandela Day is about creating a movement for positive change and establishing one day to reflect upon, celebrate and make manifest the values that guide Nelson Mandela.”

Adding his voice of support, Queen’s Brian May, a 46664 founding ambassador, said, “It is Nelson Mandela’s ability to forgive that is an inspiration to us all. If Mandela Day can help the world to reconcile its differences then it will have succeeded in its purpose.”

The Mandela Day concert aims to mark a day in each year when we collectively reflect on Mr Mandela’s inspiration and guidance and individually strive to make our own contribution.

The concert is the culmination of a week-long series of events in New York City in celebration of the first-ever Mandela Day. 

The activities include a Ralph Appelbaum-designed exhibition of Mr Mandela’s life and the work of his many 46664 ambassadors, as well as a gala fundraising dinner, both at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall, hosted by former US President Bill Clinton and Mr Mandela’s wife Graça Machel.

Further artists are set to join the star-studded line-up and these will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the event range from $50 to $350 and can be bought online through www.livenation.com, www.thegarden.com, www.ticketmaster.com or through the dedicated ticket line: 800-745-3000.