Beyoncé is honoring the late Nelson Mandela with a powerful open letter ahead of her performance at a festival celebrating the former South African president next month.

The “Everything Is Love” singer and her husband, Jay-Z, are set to appear at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Dec. 2 to mark Mandela’s legacy and the 100th anniversary of the anti-apartheid leader’s birth.

In a letter titled “Dear Madiba,” also published in the South African newspaper Sowetan, Beyoncé explains how the lessons she took away from a 2004 meeting with Mandela have become guiding forces in her own life.

“Your kindness and gratitude for every experience, and your ability to forgive are lessons I have learned and will pass on to my three children,” she wrote. “My entire family holds you in high regard.I recall your measured but focused steps in as you recounted the stories of the struggles, the sacrifices and your resilience,” she wrote about her initial impression of Mandela. “In that moment I truly understood your heart and humility.”

“You made it possible for so many people like me to reject impossibilities and understand our capabilities in making lasting change in the world,” she continued. “The smallest efforts could change the trajectory for so many living in extreme poverty, facing injustices, the indecency of racism and fighting for their rights as humans.”

Singers Usher, Ed Sheeran, Kacey Musgraves, Pharell, and African artists including Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest and Femi Kuti will join Beyoncé, with Oprah Winfrey delivering the festival’s keynote address.

Beyoncé went onto praise Mandela’s vision “for dignity, for human rights, for peace” that not only changed the course of South Africa’s history but also had vast implications globally.

“I promise you that we have made your dreams our own,” she wrote.

“Your work and your sacrifices were not in vain. I will cherish every moment shared in your presence and use the lessons learned from you as fuel to stir positive ideas and solutions.”

The festival is hosted by the Motsepe Foundation, which aims to bring an end to poverty through education and job creation.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/beyonc-pens-letter-nelson-mandela-195316372.html

the line up and the cause sound amazing. I hope it will be televised.

Wow... this thread was a big hit.. heh....

Beyonce'

Also supported Hillary Clinton!

Says a lot about her!! Even though I liked Mandela, I can care less about what Beyonce' does.

That is the problem with people, because someone can hold a note, sing and dance... we should listen to their political or personal views?. Somehow their song and dance carries weight?

Why.................................................?

What makes entertainers the " pulse" of America?. In their multi million dollar Ca. mansions.
Do you care what your plumber thinks about politics or do you care about his personal views?... no?.. why?.. because he doesn't sing and dance for you?

Ridicules set of standards and false idols.

Beyoncé'..Lol ;)..

or for that matter Charleston Heston (NRA).Yeah.. I'll pack a AK-47 because Heston said I should.... not.. I could care less what he said, but I like his movies.

But the gullible get swayed by Tinsel Town...Beyoncé... Come on folks.. Lol.

The first thing of note is how easy it is to avoid topics which one takes no interest in and participate in topics which one does. I do this daily.

The second thing is the point is that Mandala is being honored. As far as people having opinions, I see everyone equally. If i can 'care' enough to read the opinions of and possibly have a response to or about strangers on a social forum, why not also 'care' enough to read and possibly have a response to strangers who have careers in entertainment?

If he was being honored by Gretchen Washington, a assistant school cafeteria manager instead of Beyoncé would you be starting a thread on it?

Nah... you wouldn't.. but a singer and dancer... yep.