6 Things you need to know about the Global Citizen Festival this weekend

The Global Citizen Festival was launched earlier this year as part of Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday celebrations. It is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030 and was launched by The Motsepe Foundation.

This year’s festival will celebrate the centenary year of former president Nelson Mandela, honouring his legacy in the fight to end “extreme poverty” with a festival taking place at FNB Stadium on 2 December. High profile celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Pharrell Williams are amongst the esteemed guests that will host and perform at the event.

People were encouraged to take on different social outreach projects as a way to earn tickets to the event. Here are more details around the campaign and festival:

1. Global Citizens have taken a record-breaking number of actions

Global Citizens have taken an unprecedented number of actions calling on leaders to commit to tackling systemic issues affecting the world’s most vulnerable. Close to 5 million actions have been taken — with over 4 million in South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland alone — to end malnutrition, eliminate NTDs, reduce HIV transmission, improve sanitation across the continent, and more. Since Global Citizen’s campaigns started in July, that’s over 1,200 actions taken in market each and every hour.

2. FNB Stadium in Johannesburg is prepping for the big event

The venue located in Soweto has been preparing for the masses of people that will be attending the event. Gates open at 11 am and it is an all-day festival. People who arrive early and are in their seats between 12 and 2 PM will be eligible for ticket upgrades. There will also be security at entrances, with all bags being searched, so the earlier you get there the less time you’ll have to wait in a queue and the less likely you are to miss your favourite act. Bags can’t be bigger than 15 x 20 cm. Camping overnight outside the venue won’t be allowed. And you are at risk of having your ticket confiscated if you refuse to leave the area when asked by security.

3. Bring your tickets when you arrive at the venue

There is no ticket collection at the venue so festival attendees are encouraged to pick up their tickets from Computicket before arriving at the venue. You can also use your mobile phone to show the e-tickets. The organisers also recommend you bring your photo ID (particularly if you’re over 18 and plan on drinking alcohol), however, this won’t be required for entry if you have a valid ticket. There will also be no re-entry to the festival, once you leave you will not be allowed back.

4. Organise your transport to the venue carefully

There will be road closures around the festival so the organisers recommend you plan your trip with Reaya Vaya buses, Gautrain, Uber, park n ride amongst other forms of transport.

5. Beyonce and Jay-Z’s team are definitely in South Africa

Twitter has been ablaze with reports that Beyonce’s team has arrived in Johannesburg although no news has circulated around the stars themselves and when they will arrive.

Her team's in South Africa. I REPEAT, HER TEAM'S IN SOUTH AFRICA!!!! BEYONCÉ GISELLE KNOWLES HYPHEN CARTER'S TEAM IS IN SOUTH AFRICA 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭!!!!#GlobalCitizenFestivalSA #GlobalCitizen #Beyonce pic.twitter.com/CuuHDHL9ns

— (⁠ ⁠･ั⁠﹏⁠･ั⁠) (@jethrothevirgo) November 15, 2018

6. Black Coffee has been added to the line-up

DJ Black Coffee has been added to the star-studded line-up at the Global Citizens festival alongside Chris Martin, Ed Sheeren, Usher, D’banj, Femi Kuti, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Sho Madjozi and Cassper Nyovest. Bonang Mathebe and Somizi Mhlongo are also hosts of the event.

So it's a real thing guys. @RealBlackCoffee is performing at #GlobalCitizenFestivalSA. I'm so excited for those of you who have tickets.😩😭👌 pic.twitter.com/kwRIEGBOlc

— 🦦 (@ncanes_) November 26, 2018

For more info, visit Global Citizens Organisation.