Controversy Erupts Over Concert for Mandela : Pop: The suggestion that charities may receive no money stirs an uproar.

Controversy has erupted about a charity pop concert scheduled for Monday at which Nelson Mandela is to address 70,000 fans. Press reports here have suggested that the expense of mounting the event will prevent worthy causes--including the anti-apartheid movement--from receiving any of the money raised.

Though all the artists appearing at the concert--including Peter Gabriel, Tracy Chapman, Neil Young, Lou Reed, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne and Simple Minds--are donating their services free, organizers say they are paying high rates for everyone else involved in the show, including caterers, sound, lighting and security companies.

Mandela, who is being flown in especially for the concert, is expected to make a short address urging increased sanctions against South Africa.

It was originally planned that half the proceeds from the concert would go to the anti-apartheid movement, and the other half would be divided between five charities, including the anti-hunger organizations Christian Aid and Oxfam.

Tony Hollingsworth, who is producing the concert at Wembley Stadium, also organized the June 1988 concert which celebrated Mandela’s 70th birthday and pressed for his release from jail. That concert raised $1.2 million.

Hollingsworth was quoted over the weekend as saying costs were higher this time around, and proceeds would be lower. “It’s an achievement just to get this thing on at all,” he added, referring to the short preparation time. People stopped doing things for free or even cost price after (the) Live Aid (concert). People lost a lot of money on it.”

However, the Mandela concert was promoted as an opportunity to raise money for worthy causes, and its 70,000 seats quickly sold out at 20 ($32) each.

Worldwide TV and radio broadcast rights were expected to raise up to 1 million ($1.6 million). The suggestion that charities would receive no money from the event has caused an uproar.

Wendy Laister, a spokesperson for the producers, said: “I think some people, particularly the tabloid press in this country, have misunderstood the objectives of the concert.

“The concert was never intended to be a fund-raiser in the style of Live Aid. The whole objective of the event is to give Nelson Mandela an international platform so he can thank everyone who has been working for the 27 years to get his release--and also for him to speak to the world about the future and his hopes for South Africa.

“The (charity aspect of the day) was to give any funds that are raised to charities. We still can’t predict how much money, if any, will be raised.”

The Mandela tribute has already been rocked by the withdrawal from its line-up of Hugh Masekela, the South African-born trumpeter who played with Paul Simon on his worldwide “Graceland” tour.

Masekela pulled out of the Mandela concert last month, having reportedly complained that the show was being used by white artists simply as a promotional tool to sell records.

But another spokesperson said: “Hugh Masekela has been talking to the producers of the concert this week, and it is possible that he may be there on the day.”