Johannesburg, 2 December 2018
President Kagame today attended “Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100” organized to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth and honor his legacy, particularly his call to “Be The Generation to End Extreme Poverty.”
Speaking to the hundreds of thousands gathered at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, President Kagame paid tribute to Mandela’s legacy and pointed out that the South African Icon never gave up on Africa.
“He believed that Africa’s children can achieve anything. It is our responsibility to continue building on his legacy. We must commit to ensuring good nutrition for our children, and eliminating diseases that threaten Africa’s potential,” President Kagame said.
Addressing young people from across the African continent who had turned up in big number at the Festival, the Head of State called for their increased involvement in ensuring that Africa moves forward stronger and united more than ever before.
“The African Union belongs to all of us. That is why we are working hard to make the African Union stronger and more effective. We need Africa’s young people to be fierce advocates for these goals. You are so well represented tonight here in Soweto, and you make us proud. Together, we can build the Africa we want,” President Kagame said.
Earlier in the day, the President joined a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Reception hosted by Prime Minister Erna Solberg of Norway and President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
Themed “Ensuring Quality Nutrition and Health for All,” the Festival is a Pop and Policy music festival featuring various artists and keynote speakers. The latter include world leaders and private sector players.
Global Citizen is a media and advocacy organization based in New York that engages young people around the world to achieve progress in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Since 2012, 14,2 million actions by Global Citizens have helped generate commitments and policy announcements from leaders across the world valued at over USD 37.9 billion. These commitments are set to help improve the lives of more than 2.25 billion people around the globe.