PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Mandela hailed at inaugural Global Citizen Festival
Johannesburg, South Africa (PANA) – For a few glorious hours, Soweto was the centre of the universe on Sunday as more than 100,000 spectators and a global television audience of hundreds of millions celebrated the legacy of Nelson Mandela at the inaugural Global Citizen World Leader Prize.
Fittingly, the venue was where the world statesman made his last public appearance – minutes before the 2010 FIFA World Cup final – before bowing out (he died three years later at the age of 95).
His widow, Graça Machel, who is the only woman in history to have been married to two world leaders, (she also wedded Mozambican President Samora Machel) saluted the Nobel Laureate on Sunday.
"One of the best ways we can celebrate Madiba's centenary and uphold his legacy is for each one of us to commit to do our part in very meaningful way,” she told a captive audience.
Machel joined numerous world leaders, activists and celebrities who celebrated the anniversary of Mandela's birth.
Machel then announced the winner of the inaugural Global Citizen World Leader Prize which was Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Joining Machel were Oprah Winfrey and supermodel Naomi Campbell who said she regarded Mandela as her hero and grandfather.
Sunday’s event, which was presented by the Motsepe Foundation, featured performances from Beyoncé, Cassper Nyovest, D'banj, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Kacey Musgraves, Pharrell Williams and Chris Martin, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher and Wizkid.
It was co-hosted by Winfrey, Campbell, Gayle King, Bob Geldof, Tyler Perry and Forest Whitaker.
-0- PANA CU/MA 2Dec2018
Fittingly, the venue was where the world statesman made his last public appearance – minutes before the 2010 FIFA World Cup final – before bowing out (he died three years later at the age of 95).
His widow, Graça Machel, who is the only woman in history to have been married to two world leaders, (she also wedded Mozambican President Samora Machel) saluted the Nobel Laureate on Sunday.
"One of the best ways we can celebrate Madiba's centenary and uphold his legacy is for each one of us to commit to do our part in very meaningful way,” she told a captive audience.
Machel joined numerous world leaders, activists and celebrities who celebrated the anniversary of Mandela's birth.
Machel then announced the winner of the inaugural Global Citizen World Leader Prize which was Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
Joining Machel were Oprah Winfrey and supermodel Naomi Campbell who said she regarded Mandela as her hero and grandfather.
Sunday’s event, which was presented by the Motsepe Foundation, featured performances from Beyoncé, Cassper Nyovest, D'banj, Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder, Femi Kuti, Kacey Musgraves, Pharrell Williams and Chris Martin, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher and Wizkid.
It was co-hosted by Winfrey, Campbell, Gayle King, Bob Geldof, Tyler Perry and Forest Whitaker.
-0- PANA CU/MA 2Dec2018
