Huge concert marks World AIDS Day

A member of South African band Freshly Ground performs during the 46664 AIDS charity concert at Ellispark stadium in Johannesburg. (Reuters: Siphiwe Sibeko )

Tens of thousands of people filed into a Johannesburg stadium for a 10-hour music extravaganza beamed to millions around the globe to mark World AIDS Day.

The concert at the 50,000-seater Ellis Park stadium featured 30 local and international artists performing, ranging from Ludacris to Peter Gabriel.

The event was organised by the 89-year-old Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS campaign, named after his prison number from his 27 years in jail during South Africa's apartheid regime.

Thirteen years after apartheid ended and after Mr Mandela became president in South Africa's first ever democratic elections, the country is now on the front line of the struggle against HIV.

Around 5.5 million of its 48 million people are infected - the world's worst rate, according to recent UN data.

Addressing the crowd, Mr Mandela urged people to stand up and take the fight against AIDS into their own hands.

"It is still alarming that for every person who receives treatment there are four others who are newly infected," said the Nobel laureate, after slowly walked to the podium with the aid of his wife and a walking stick.

"Here in South Africa we are making every effort to reach into communities because we believe the answer is in our hands.

"Yes, big ambitious plans are needed to deal with the epidemic. But what really matters are small acts of kindness ... such as protecting yourself," he said.

South Africa's deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka thanked the performers.

"It's about preventing the infections. It's about caring for the people who are already sick ... it's about rolling out the treatment, and ensuring we empower women who are at the frontline of the battle," she said.