Beyonce Knowles-Carter, American
entertainer, says Nelson Mandela made it possible for her to reject
impossibilities and understand her capabilities.
In a letter published by Sowetan,
a South African newspaper, Beyonce paid tribute to the late South African
president.
The ‘Halo’ singer is one of the
artistes that will perform at the Global Citizen Festival to celebrate 100
years of Mandela’s birth.
Read the letter below:
Dear Madiba,
I first met you in 2004 for the
46664 AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town, and the impact you have had on my life
resonates with me today and every day. 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. My entire family holds you in high regard.
It is an honor for me to travel
to South Africa this week in celebration of you and your efforts to right so
many wrongs. You were a strategic warrior, a bold activist, and charismatic and
well-loved leader. Your vision for dignity, for human rights, for peace and a
South Africa free of racism and apartheid, allows us all to turn dreams into
reality.
I remember taking that walk with
you back to the prison on Robben Island where you spent 18 of those imprisoned
27 years. I recall your measured but focused steps in as you recounted the
stories of the struggles, the sacrifices and your resilience. You smiled as you
talked to a crowd of artists and their guests, including my mother, who first
told my sister and me about the great Nelson 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. 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.
As we celebrate the Global
Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, honoring your centennial year, I promise you
that we have made your dreams our own.
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.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com