In 2004, Beyonce met Nelson Mandela when she was billed as a performer at his inaugural 46664 Aids Benefit Concert in Cape Town, South Africa. This past Sunday, the singer returned to Cape Town for the Global Citizens Festival and not only honoured the late South African president and activist, but carefully celebrated the continent's legacy and diversity through her costumes.
Beyonce and JAY-Z treated Cape Town to a piece of their On The Run Tour II and emerged on stage hand-in-hand to perform the first song of the night, "Holy Grail," with JAY-Z in a fuchsia suit and Beyonce in a sequinned body suit, thigh high boots, and a dramatic cape that paid tribute to Africa's 54 countries, according to Mary Katrantzou, the designer behind the sequinned get-up.
"Her coat has the 54 countries of Africa mapped out and on each country there is a different embroidery representing its diversity," Katrantzou shared on Instagram. Beyonce also wore a colourful beaded mini dress with an elaborate back piece, which according to Momma Knowles, Tina Lawson, featured "one hundred thousands African beads."
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One Twitter user suggested Beyonce's beaded ensemble was a nod to the Nala costume worn in the live musical version of The Lion King, which wouldn't be too far-fetched, as Beyonce is set to play Nala in the upcoming live-action film of the Disney classic.
Beyonce's other Global Citizen wardrobe changes included a bright yellow Atelier Versace jumpsuit with safety pins, a black and white graphic Balmain bodysuit and cut-off shorts, a fuchsia taffeta dress, and a emerald green gown with a flowing train.
Ahead of her Global Citizen performance, Beyonce penned a heartfelt tribute to Nelson Mandela on her website, reminiscing about meeting the former South African president for the first time.
"I first met you in 2004 at the 46664 AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town, and the impact you have had on my life resonates with me today and every day," she wrote. "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."
She continued: "As we celebrate the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, honouring 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."
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
