It was hot. But it was truly happening. As Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium filled up for Nelson Mandela the anticipation mounted. Drink vendors strolled through the crowd with backpacks full of cold drinks which they pumped out into cups. Packets of condoms were thrown into the crowd to promote safe sex, which some blew up like balloons and let fly. People at the edges spread out their rugs and relaxed, while others crammed at the front to dance. It was turning into an event. “I’m here doing my little bit for AIDS and showing the rest of the world what we have to do to beat it,” said Alon Lits, 22, from Johannesburg - and desperate to see the Goo Goo Dolls set later on.

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