Happy Birthday, Mr President !

21 Jul 2003
Bono joined a galaxy of politicians and celebrities in Johannesburg thisweekend to celebrate the 85th birthday of Nelson Mandela.

The celebrations started with 85 children, led by South African singerYvonne Chaka Chaka and joined by Bono, singing 'Happy Birthday' for Mandela.

Later in the evening, Bono returned to the stage to perform with The Corrs.

Among the 1600 guests were South African President Thabo Mbeki , ArchbishopDesmond Tutu, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Bill and Hilary Clinton,Oprah Winfrey, Robert de Niro, Naomi Campbell, Chris Tucker, Naomi Campbelland Coretta Scott-King as well as Mandela's personal staff.

Paying tribute to Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison under the apartheidgovernment, and then peacefully led South Africa from white minority ruleto democracy, Tutu said: 'Thank you for teaching us to forgive. We thank youfor your compassion. Thank you for being a beacon of hope.'

In his tribute, President Clinton said : 'You have taught us the freedom offorgiveness ... shown us the power of humility.' Quoting from Irish poetSeamus Heaney, Clinton said: "You have made hope and history rhyme."

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