Washington  - Nelson Mandela, South Africa's anti-apartheid hero, turns 91 on Saturday with a star power still strong enough to fuel two fundraisers this week in New York City - even though he won't be there.

The two events - a dinner and auction hosted Wednesday by former US president Bill Clinton and a star-studded concert Saturday - are being organized by Mandela's charities and private sponsors.

The planners want Mandela's birthday on July 18 to become an annual international Mandela Day to raise money for children, people living with AIDS and others in need.

Mandela, whose hair has turned white since he retired as president of South Africa in 1999 and who walks with a cane or rides in a golf cart to cover more than a few steps, sent his wife, Graca Machel- Mandela, his daughter and grandson to the events.

They were on hand Wednesday night at Vanderbilt Hall inside New York's Grand Central Station for an auction of Mandela memorabilia conducted by Christie's auction house.

"Mandela Day is about bringing out the little bit of Madiba in all of us," Graca Machel was quoted as saying by Nadia Neophytou on a Twitter link from the gala dinner. Madiba is the affectionate name most South Africans use for Mandela.

US actor Morgan Freeman, who portrays Mandela in a film being directed by Clint Eastwood, quipped: "I have played the president of America; I have played God, but (playing) Mandela (is) something else!"

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown delivered a video message to the dinner. On Saturday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to attend the birthday concert at Radio City Music Hall as the escort to his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who will be singing.

Items on sale at the dinner included signed portraits of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, casts of his handprint and a bangle with 46664, Mandela's prison number, written in diamonds.

One of Mandela's charity organizations uses 46664 as its name and, originally dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS, now serves broader humanitarian needs. Mandela wore the number during his 27- year imprisonment under the apartheid regime of South Africa, including the long years of forced labour in the Robben Island rock quarry that damaged his vision.

"More than any other human being, he has been the great inspiration for the life I lead and the work I do, especially in the area of HIV/AIDS," Clinton said before the dinner.

Others who attended the dinner were US film director Spike Lee, South African singer Jonathan Butler and the Soweto Gospel Choir; US actors Forest Whitaker and Matt Damon; and singers Harry Belafonte, Beyonce and Jay-Z.

Paul Gambaccini, the British-American radio and television presenter, was the master of ceremonies.

On Saturday, Mandela's birthday, planners hope the crowd will fill Radio City Music Hall for performances by Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Loyiso, the French first lady and other musicians and artists from all over the world.

Tickets ranging from 75 to 500 dollars were still available Wednesday.

The concert will be streamed live over the internet starting at 8 pm (0000 GMT Sunday), with a lower-quality version for free and a high-resolution, full-screen video feed available for about 5 dollars.

The website, www. mandeladay. com, offers a programming code so viewers can embed the live concert feed on their personal websites.

Net proceeds from the events will go to the Mandela Foundation/46664.

On his 90th birthday, Mandela attended a 46664 concert in London's Hyde Park where he told young people: "It's in your hands now."

New York City was busy with other Mandela-related projects this week, including volunteer park clean-ups, used-book drives, a free performance of a play about HIV/AIDS prevention and a free exhibit dedicated to Mandela's life and values inside Grand Central terminal.

Brown noted the importance of Mandela Day, saying: "It is a day dedicated to the idea that every individual has the power to change the world for the better." (dpa)