The Spice Girls would love to perform for former South African
President Nelson Mandela at his planned 90th birthday party in June
if they are invited, media reported Tuesday.
The five members of the British pop group's were enthusiastic
about the idea.
"We're great friends of Mr. Mandela and we would love to perform
for him again," said Melanie Chisholm, a.k.a. Sporty Spice.
The Spice Girls, (from L to
R) Melanie Chisholm, Victoria Beckham, Geri Halliwell, Melanie
Brown (front) and Emma Bunton, perform as they kick off their
reunion tour in Vancouver, British Columbia Dec. 2, 2007. The Spice
Girls are eager to perform for former South African President
Nelson Mandela at his planned 90th birthday party in June if they
are invited. (photo: Xinhua/Reuters)
"We were privileged enough to meet the man and he is just
amazing," said Geri Halliwell, a.k.a. Ginger Spice. "He's just an
example of strength and humility and if we could be part of that,
celebrating his life--wow."
The former South African President was also keen for the Spice
Girls, who reunited in a blaze of publicity last June.
They met Mandela in 1997 when the then-president invited them to
his Pretoria residence for a chat and photos. They were in South
Africa to perform in a Johannesburg charity concert.
It is reported the popular singing group had to turn down an
invitation to perform at Mandela's 89th birthday celebrations last
year as Emma Bunton as heavily pregnant with her first child.
The Spice Girls who are on a world tour now had cancelled
performance in several countries, including Australia, South Africa
and Argentina, blaming "family and personal commitments." They plan
to finish their tour in Toronto on Feb. 26.
(Agencies via Xinhua February 20, 2008)
