Global Citizen Festival: Beyonce, Jay-Z heading to South Africa in December

This is not a drill: the Carters are heading to South Africa in December.

Beyonce and Jay-Z will both perform at the Mandela 100 Global Citizen Festival taking place in South Africa, it was announced Monday at a press conference at the Sandton Convention Centre.

They’ll be joined by Ed Sheeran, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Pharrell Williams, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Usher and Wizkid. Naomi Campbell and Oprah will also reportedly be in attendance.

Oh, and Cassper Nyovest will also be there.

Sharing a stage with Beyoncé and Jay Z in December. #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA pic.twitter.com/s4mwWgEK9S

— R.M Phoolo (@CassperNyovest) July 9, 2018

The concert, organised by the New York-based Global Poverty Project, will take place on 2 December 2018 at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

It’s only the second time the concert has been held outside the United States. Last year it took place in Hamburg, Germany during the G20 Summit.

But this particular concert is an ode to Nelson Mandela’s ideals.

“The Mandela 100 Festival, in partnership with the House of Mandela, will serve as the capstone event of Global Citizen’s year-long Be the Generation campaign, inspired by the revered former leader of South Africa and his lifelong dedication to rallying people together to use their collective voices to speak for the most marginalized people,” the organisation writes in a release.

Understandably, South Africa is thrilled.

We are not ready for such a Powerful Lineup. Beyoncé 😭😭😭 #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA pic.twitter.com/1DRzNEI0Y0

— MASHIE (@mash_iie) July 9, 2018

Lineup for the #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA

HEADLINERS:
– BEYONCÉ 😩
– Jay Z 😩
– Cassper Nyovest 😩
– D Banj 😩
– Ed Sheeren 😩
– Wizkid 😩
– Sho Madjozi 😩
– Pharrell Williams 😩
– Chris Martin 😩
– Tiwa Savage 😩

02 December 2018 pic.twitter.com/WOraWhJYUP

— Lerato (@AndImLee) July 9, 2018

Me when they said BEYONCÉ is coming to South Africa 😩😭😩😭#GlobalCitizenFestivalSA pic.twitter.com/GLLFTgUFf9

— Lerato (@AndImLee) July 9, 2018

Did I mention that Beyonce, Usher, Ed Sheeran, Pharrell and many others will be there. Miss Naomi Campbell will be MC. What more do you want from me? #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA 2 December FNB Stadium

— LorraineTaylorMawisa (@taylormawisa) July 9, 2018

So, you’re wondering about tickets, aren’t you? For one, you can’t quite purchase them. They’re free, but there’s a catch.

“All you need to do is, starting 21 August, take action on the Global Citizen platforms — GlobalCitizen.org.za, in the Global Citizen app, or with our Facebook Messenger bot — search “Global Citizen” in Facebook Messenger to learn more,” the organisation notes.

“There will also be opportunities for Global Citizens to earn free tickets by taking actions in their communities of Johannesburg.”

And some are already donning their game faces.

Thinking of ways to earn tickets for #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA pic.twitter.com/o5oTGQKo6t

— MASHIE (@mash_iie) July 9, 2018

I have 1 point now, 49 points to go. #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA

— Lindani M Gwamanda (@RequestLindani) July 9, 2018

Feature image: Global Citizen Festival