SOUTH AFRICA: Sir Richard Branson and rock star Peter Gabriel are to attend the launch of a humanitarian campaign at Nelson Mandela's 89th birthday tomorrow.

Mandela is to lead "elders" of the global community, including former US President Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The group stems from an idea by Branson and Gabriel to create a world council of elders to tackle issues such as conflict, Aids and global warming.

The campaign launch will be part of a week of festivities in South Africa.