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S. Africans decry muggings and 'toothless' police at Mandela concert

S. Africans decry muggings and 'toothless' police at Mandela concert

South Africa

South Africans online are calling out the country’s police and security agencies for failing to protect revelers who attended the Global Citizen Mandela 100 concert on Sunday, from muggers and thieves.

The Mandela 100 concert, in honour the life of Nelson Mandela, was held at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg, and featured an all star line-up led by Beyonce.

The event, held to mark 100 years since the birth of South Africa’s first black president, was organised by advocacy group Global Citizen. It also aimed to highlight the fight against poverty, gender inequality and hunger, causes that Mandela championed.

We were mugged

Several people took to Twitter, complaining of a failure and absence of security outside the stadium when the concert ended.

After a total of 4km of walking, 2hours, we found our aunt and escape. Leading the pack of 7 was frightful and I honestly am heartbroken. #GlobalaCitizenFestivalSA and uber failed us and everyone who was attacked, burnt, stabbed, beaten, and robbed at Sasol and everywhere else.

— Global Citizen – Michael Cost (@MickyCost) December 3, 2018

I had the best day ever!!!! #GlobaCitizenFestival it’s just tooo sad to hear about those who endured difficulties getting home, and those who were mugged. Truly sympathizing with them, and those hurt are in my prayers ❤️??

— Nthabiseng Kekana (@tisiNthabiK) December 3, 2018

It was the first time in my life I see so much crime happening in 1 day. We couldn’t request UBER because if they see u holding a phone they will come straight after you. What I saw while walking from Stadium to #Sasol erased all the good memories I had from #GlobaCitizenFestival

— Mosimana Wa Molobedu (@TebogoRamaselel) December 3, 2018

Whilst I agree that #GlobaCitizenFestival organizers should have planned for the safety of commuters & travellers, I just want to add this thought:

South Africa has a CRIME problem & the government is not interested in resolving it.

… a thread

— Vusi Thembekwayo (@VusiThembekwayo) December 3, 2018

‘Be-yo-nce!’

“Be-yo-nce! Be-yo-nce!,” chanted a group of ladies as they waited in a long queue to enter Johannesburg’s FNB stadium, where Jay-Z, Usher and Ed Sheeran were also set to perform.

Thousands of fans, some wearing Global Citizen T-shirts and temporary tattoos on their shoulders, cheered, danced and cried at the sight of their favourite artists.

Many fans had been given free tickets in exchange for signing petitions and sending tweets to world leaders, urging them to take action to improve education, water supplies, sanitation, health and other issues.

I’m glad to have seen Beyonce and JayZ. Everything was beautiful, Everything Is Love. #GlobaCitizenFestivalSA #GlobaCitizenFestival pic.twitter.com/4C0B1uwrTH

— Bon Appétit bebe? (kinginxoxo) December 3, 2018

Beyonce’s performance of her smash hit XO, was loved by the crowd.

“I loved Dbanj’s performance and of course Queen B and Jay-Z, even though it was a brief one.”

Raising money

World Bank President Jim Kim was among a number of political and business leaders attending the event and he announced a $1 billion investment in health and education across Africa in 2019.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta appeared via video link and pledged to increase his country’s education budget to 30 percent of the total budget.

Richard Branson, also via a recorded video link, announced a $105 million commitment from donors including UK Aid, Virgin Unite and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation towards ending trachoma, a disease that causes blindness.

“I’m from a neighbourhood where small kids falling into pit latrines at school or home is a common occurrence,” Lucia Cele, an IT specialist told Reuters. “So to hear such commitments towards issues like sanitation is very encouraging for our society.

Vodacom’s Chief Executive Shameel Joosub pledged 500 million rand ($36 million) during the event to fight gender-based violence and enhance sanitation in schools and digital literacy.

Mandela was imprisoned for nearly three decades for his fight against the apartheid regime. He was released in 1990 and led South Africa to its first free elections in 1994. He died on Dec. 5, 2013.

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