Former South African leader Nelson Mandela spoke in London today. Although Mandela is now looking frail at age 86, he still has a powerful voice that speaks to the world from his years spent in South African jails opposing apartheid. Today, Mandela sought to encourage richer nations to help feed the world's poor as part of the 'Make Poverty History' charity campaign.

'Where poverty exists, there is not true freedom,' Mandela told the crowd at Trafalgar Square. 'Massive poverty and obscene inequality are such terrible scourges of our times ... that they have to rank alongside slavery and apartheid as social evils. In this new century, millions of people in the world's poorest countries remain imprisoned, enslaved and in chains,' he said. 'They are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time to set them free.'

Friday, Mandela will speak to the finance ministers of the G7 nations who will be meeting in London. The G7 had vowed to focus on the issue of poverty and Mandela wants to be sure they follow up their words with action.

'In 2005, there is a unique opportunity for making an impact,' he said. 'Tomorrow, here in London, the G7 finance ministers can make a significant beginning.'

Mandela outlined three important steps the developed nations of the world can take. 'The first (step) is ensuring trade justice,' Mandela said. 'I have said before that trade justice is a truly meaningful way for the developed countries to show commitment to bringing about an end to global poverty. 'The second is an end to the debt crisis for the poorest countries. The third is to deliver much more aid and make sure it is of the highest quality.'

Mandela has remained active in many causes since stepping down as President of South Africa in 1999. He has recently been active in the fight against AIDS which claimed the life of his 54-year-old son a month ago.