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)
