Beyonce, Jay-z dazzle Africa at Mandela tribute
BEYONCE LED AN all-star lineup including Ed Sheeran, Jay-z and Usher in Johannesburg at a concert to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela on Sunday.
The concert was the climax of a year of events celebrating the centennial of Mandela’s birth in 1918, and part of a campaign to tackle poverty, child malnutrition and boost gender equality.
This year’s Global Citizen Festival was held at Johannesburg’s 94,736-capacity FNB staium and saw Beyonce perform several of her hits as well as a duet with Sheeran.
Thousands of music fans, many of whom had received free tickets to reward their activism and campaigning work, flocked to the stadium hours before the concert began.
“I’m proud to be part of the global citizen movement because they are trying to make a positive impact on people’s lives – especially women’s and children’s issues,” said Nokthula Khuzwayo, 23, from Soweto.
“I loved Dbanj’s performance and of course Queen B and Jay-z, even though it was a brief one.”
As well as a constellation of global stars that also included Pharrell Williams and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted fellow heads of state from Ghana, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.
“We are here to act in one voice,” said Ramaphosa.
Beyonce’s performance of her smash hit XO, during which she wore a flowing pink-red dress and paid tribute to Mandela, drew an outpouring of emotion from the crowd.
South African star Trevor Noah was the host for the evening. Ahead of the concert co-host Oprah Winfrey hailed Mandela’s “goodness and integrity”, describing him as her “favourite mentor”.
Mandela was imprisoned for decades under South Africa’s apartheid regime. After being released in 1990, he led the country’s transformation into a multi-racial democracy and was elected its first president. He died on December 5, 2013, aged 95.
Earlier on Sunday, Mandela’s widow Graca Machel took to the stage to honour her late husband in front of the near-capacity crowd.
We are here to act in one voice.” Cyril Ramaphosa