Madiba off to Norway Aids bash

2005-01-28 20:11

Oslo - Nelson Mandela has agreed to attend an Aids benefit concert in the Arctic city of Tromsoe for his Aids foundations, 46664, named after his prisoner number, the city announced on Friday.

The Norwegian concert on June 11 follows up a star-studded concert in Cape Town in 2003 that was hosted by the former president to raise Aids awareness.

Since stepping down as president in 1999, Mandela has campaigned to raise awareness about Aids, especially in Africa.

Tromsoe mayor Herman Kristoffersen said on radio network NRK: "It means a great deal to us and for the event that Nelson Mandela wants to visit the city."

The 86-year-old Mandela had appeared frail in recent public appearances, and Kristoffersen expressed the hope that he remained strong enough to make the trip to Europe's far north.

Organisers said the programme had not been set for the 46664 Arctic Concert in Tromsoe, but expressed hopes that they could draw some of the world's biggest stars.

Tromsoe, 350km north of the Arctic Circle, is the main city of Norway's far north, and has a population of 62 000.

- SAPA