SOUTHAMPTON singing sensation Craig David is going to sing for former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Craig, who has recently been romantically linked with Colombian supermodel and TV presenter Sofia Veragara, will be joining a galaxy of stars to take part in Nelson Mandela's SOS concert on February 2.

Macy Gray, Shaggy, Bono, Nelly Furtado and Dave Stewart are among the artists set to perform within the walls of the maximum security prison on Robben Island where Mandela spent 18 years of his prison term.

Craig David, 21, who was brought up on Southampton's Holyrood Estate, will be among several artists to take part via live satellite link-up.

It is not the first time that Craig has been invited to sing for one of the most powerful people in the world. Last year he was invited by George W Bush to sing at the White House for its annual Christmas party for inner-city children.

Who would have thought three years ago, when Craig was still DJ-ing in local clubs, that he would be taking part in what is set to be one of the greatest concerts of all time?

The concert is being held to mark the 20th anniversary of Mandela's departure from Robben Island and to raise awareness and funds to fight the escalating crisis that HIV and AIDS have become. More than 17 million people have died from the disease in Africa and another 28.1 million are infected with HIV.

It has not yet been confirmed which songs Craig will be performing for the concert, but there is a good chance he will be singing his new single Hidden Agenda, out on January 20.

Craig has been nominated for a Grammy Award next month. He is up for Best Male Pop Vocal for the single 7 Days. Coldplay, whose drummer Will Champion comes from Southampton, have two nominations.