Mandela Has a Concert in London Friday

Some of Africa's top singers, along with such stars as Queen, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds, and Amy Winehouse are among those anticipated to be performing before Nelson Mandela as well as about 50,000 fans in London on Friday, according to Reuters.

Mandela is reaching his 90th birthday at the same time as an election in Zimbabwe and crisis within the nation overshadowing the statesman's visit to Britain, reported Reuters.

"Tragic failure of leadership," are the four words that Mandela said about Zimbabwe's current leader, Robert Mugabe, at a speech on Wednesday, reported Reuters.

Mandela may have retired from politics nine years ago, but around the world he is still considered a moral authority. Mandela was called "unique" among African leaders by Emmanuel Jal, a Sudanese hip-hop artist in London, also scheduled to play Friday. He told Reuters, "He did not love power so much, and left it and gave it to someone else."

A boycott along with international condemnation come with Mugabe's hope of reelection which led to a wave of attacks upon his supporters. Eyes are to be on Mandela for his second concert after the one organized in 2008 and the message he wishes to send to the world in Hyde Park Friday night.