Zain to sponsor inaugural ‘Mandela Day' celebration in NY

Announcing the sponsorship, Zain Group CEO Dr Saad Al Barrak said, “Mr. Mandela is an iconic statesman whose sacrifice and leadership has had an enormous impact on humanity. Honouring him by raising funds for his foundation is in line with Zain's global ambitions and corporate social responsibility philosophy.”

Zain was also one of the main sponsors of Mandela's 90th birthday celebrations that were held on 1 July 2008 in London's Hyde Park and Zain customers across Africa raised more than US$85,000 for the Nelson Mandela Foundation through a fundraising competition, during which members of the public were invited to SMS their birthday greetings to the former South African president.

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.”

The celebrations are backed by world figures including President Bill Clinton, Forest Whitaker, Sharon Stone, Susan Sarandon and many others have all committed to attend. Further invited guests include France's First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, as well as Italy's Zucchero, a 46664 ambassador artist who has given support at each of the prior concerts.

Special performances are planned by African artists including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Chris Chameleon, Freshly Ground, Emmanuel Jal, Loyiso, Sipho Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswa Mazwai and Susanna Owiyo. Other artists specially invited to perform at the Saturday night 91st birthday concert include Dave Stewart and friends, Queen Latifah, Josh Groban, TLC, Cyndi Lauper and Jesse McCartney and Grammy Award winners Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Wyclef Jean. All the artists will be sharing the stage and performances with the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The event also features a week-long series of events in New York City in celebration of the first Mandela Day. The activities include a Ralph Applebaum designed exhibition of Mandela's life and the work of his many 46664 ambassadors, as well as the gala fundraising dinner, both at Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall.

46664 will also be working with partner organisations, other city authorities and community associations and volunteers worldwide to create a series of Mandela Day events in order to honour Nelson Mandela's life and legacy.