Beyonce, Jay-Z dazzle South 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 M a n d e l a ’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 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.