The first performance will take place on the 13th of February in New York, with Morgan Freeman and former American President Bill Clinton. The other will take place on the 3rd of March at Westminster Abbey in London, alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu amongst others.
The multi-award winning globally renowned Soweto Gospel Choir has been invited to perform at two separate international Nelson Mandela-tributes in February and March of this year. The first performance will take place on the 13th of February in New York, with Morgan Freeman and former American President Bill Clinton. The other will take place on the 3rd of March at Westminster Abbey in London, alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu amongst others.
On February 13th, 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 this incredible evening, taking the audience through the life and times of Mr. Nelson Mandela.
Dramatic readings from the original transcripts of Mr. Mandela’s letters, speeches, and personal writings will be performed by Morgan Freeman. These readings will be accompanied by the world-famous Soweto Gospel Choir, who will fill the cathedral with songs that honor Mandela’s life and vision. This spectacular 24-person choir has performed with Bono, John Legend, Celine Dion, Robert Plant, and many others.
Finally, President Bill Clinton will give a special tribute speech to Nelson Mandela and the work of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, celebrating Mr. Mandela’s life and all that has been accomplished in South Africa in the twenty years since democracy was realised. All of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Centre for Memory.
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 Mister 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 the 3rd of March. That is so that President Zuma can attend; Archbishop Desmond Tutu is also expected, and of course…the Soweto Gospel Choir.
“Universal Music is very proud to be associated with an act of international caliber, such as Soweto Gospel Choir, and we are proud to celebrate Madiba’s legacy along with the world,” says Pino Di Benedetto, Marketing Director of Universal Music South Africa.
