Will Smith hosts Nelson Mandela benefit

GEORGE, South Africa, March 19 (UPI) -- Film star Will Smith hosted Nelson Mandela's second AIDS benefit concert Saturday, with proceeds going to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Among the performers were: Annie Lennox, Katie Melua, Queen with Paul Rodgers and India Arie, reported the BBC.

Missy Elliott, Beyonce Knowles and Brad Pitt has contributed to the effort and Pitt has become a special ambassador for Mandela's campaign.

The benefit in 2003 concert had been watched by an estimated 2 billion people.

This year's theme, Women and AIDS, focuses on the fact that

South Africa women are six times more likely to become infected with the HIV virus than men.

"We have to protect our women and young girls," Mandela said. "We have to change our behavior, attitude and the way we treat our women, mothers, wives, sisters and girlfriends."