Billions pledged at Global Citizen to end extreme poverty
Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030.
FNB Stadium, popularly know as Soccer City, the home of Soweto football giants Kaizer Chiefs,
was the venue of the highly anticipated Global Citizen event.
While some of us watched the proceedings live on television, many flocked to the stadium to celebrate the occasion with friends, family and other South Africans from all over the country, including people from across the border.
The excitement was obvious and many were seen in tears as power couple Beyoncé and Jay Z took to the stage.
One in four schools struggles for access to proper toilets in South Africa. Join @Glblctzn and call on businesses to fill a $150 million funding gap so that all girls can go to school. Demand Sanitation. #DefeatPoverty. https://t.co/knm3eJK5Oo pic.twitter.com/J1TMtxzzYh
— Global Citizen â• (@GlblCtzn) December 2, 2018
The organisers really had this figured out by saving the best for last. Before Queen Bey and Jigga could close off the show, Ed Sheeran, Cassper Nyovest, Wizkid, Usher, Femi Kuti, Pharrell Williams, Chris Martin, D’banj, Sho Madjozi and Tiwa Savage rocked the crowd.
Apart from the musical entertainment, world leaders, celebrities and health organisations pledged their commitment to the fight against poverty, AIDS, cancer and supported plans to curb unemployment, create jobs and the improving of health facilities worldwide.
Global Citizen is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030.
40% of all stunted children are African. They're imprisoned by a lack of nutritious food. Join @GlblCtzn and demand governments spend an extra $10 per child on nutrition by 2020 & save 50M children. Demand Food #DefeatPoverty. https://t.co/knm3eJK5Oo pic.twitter.com/5KfvPkbgFr
— Global Citizen â• (@GlblCtzn) December 2, 2018
The movement confirmed on social media that 57 commitments worth $7.1 billion (R100 billion) set to affect the lives of 137, 368, 628 people.
Coca Cola Africa also committed to investing $38 million in recycling infrastructure across 14 African countries.
Businessman and philanthropist, Richard Branson also announced a $105 million joint commitment to end the world’s leading cause of preventable blindness.
Half the world lacks access to basic health coverage. Demand leaders close a $370B a year funding gap so that our children can have a healthy future and we can #DefeatPoverty. https://t.co/knm3eJK5Oo pic.twitter.com/6jZLGDPiUS
— Global Citizen â• (@GlblCtzn) December 2, 2018
American TV icon, Oprah Winfrey spoke of former statesman Nelson Mandela’s vision to end hunger, struggle and discrimination.
Winfrey said Madiba wanted a better life for all human beings and that he ‘did not crush his oppressors’ despite his persecution.
“I learned a lot from this man, I spent 10 days with him in Qunu and we shared 29 meals. He was a true visionary and a people’s person,” she said.
Soweto Urban would also like to offer our sincere condolences to the family of a rigger identified as Siyabonga Ngodze, who passed away while setting up the stage ahead of the Global Citizen extravaganza.
There are 264 million children out of school, denied the freedom that an education affords them. Demand world leaders and donors fund a $40 billion budget gap so that we can #DefeatPoverty. https://t.co/knm3eJK5Oo pic.twitter.com/8iTkfWULnh
— Global Citizen â• (@GlblCtzn) December 2, 2018
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