Stars raise AIDS awareness with Mandela

Celebrities were out in force on Saturday to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Stars performed at a concert organised by Nelson Mandela to raise awarness and money for women in South Africa suffering from the virus. The event, named 46664 after Mandela's former prisoner number, was held at the Fancourt golf estate near George, around 400km from Cape Town.

Among those performing and lending their support were Will Smith, Annie Lennox and Queen.

Addressing an adoring crowd, Mandela said: "I would love to enjoy the peace and quiet of retirement, but I know that like many of you, I cannot rest easily while our beloved continent is ravaged by a deadly epidemic."

South Africa has been affected by the virus worse than any other country, with an estimated five million of the nation's 45 million-strong population having been infected. Mandela announced in January that his 54-year-old son, Makgatho, had died of an AIDS-related illness.