Huge crowds defied April showers in London yesterday to gather in Trafalgar Square for the South Africa Freedom Day concert, and the guest of honour, Mr Nelson Mandela, acknowledged the sea of people from the balcony of South Africa House later in the evening.
The 82-year-old former President of South Africa last appeared from the balcony during a state visit to Britain in 1996, and the building was a focus for campaigners during the apartheid years.
The concert got under way with The Corrs drawing cheers from the crowd, many of whom had draped themselves in the flag of the new South Africa. REM, Atomic Kitten, Mel B of the Spice Girls, Hugh Masekela and Ladysmith Black Mambazo were among the other artists who appeared.
The concert, in aid of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Prince's Trust, marked the seventh anniversary of South Africa's Freedom Day weekend.
It was in part a gesture of thanks to the British people for their support in the battle against apartheid, which was shown in daily pavement vigils outside South Africa House.
Mr Mandela said he wanted to demonstrate the "deep affection I have personally for the people of the UK."