Beyonce and Jay Z took the stage on Sunday for a good cause.
The A-list superstars performed in Johannesburg, South Africa for a charity concert honoring Nelson Mandela, a century after he was born.
Pharrell Williams, Trevor Noah, Naomi Campbell and Oprah Winfrey were among those headlining the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium.
Star power: Beyonce and Jay Z performed together at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in South Africa on Sunday
The power couple took the stage together for a performance with Beyonce donning a spectacular embellished floral bodysuit that looked like a piece of artwork.
A matching dramatic floor length duster with puffy sleeves topped off Beyonce’s body suit as well as a pair of thigh high boots in the same artistic print.
Her long curly hair was left down and flowed in the breeze, nearly long enough to touch her famed bum.
The Texas native belted out tunes in a pair of elbow length black gloves and held hands with Jay Z on stage.
So sweet: A cute moment between the couple was captured during their performance
Stunning! Beyonce’s sequin, embellished costume looked like a piece of artwork
Glam! The superstar wowed the crowed in a series of ornate costumes
What a crowd: Thousands packed into Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium to see the festival
Meanwhile, the 48-year-old rapper donned a bold double breasted suit in a fuchsia tone with a white tuxedo stripe down the pant leg and sans a shirt.
The hip hop mogul wasn’t afraid to accessorize his look either and rocked a massive gold medallion on a large braided gold chain and a black headband.
A sweet moment between the duo was shared during the performance when Jay leaned in and placed his lips on his wife’s forehead.
Amazing: Beyonce and Jay Z were just two of several chart topping stars to perform at the charity event
Wow! Beyonce and Jay Z were scheduled together for a two hour set
A list: Pharrell Williams, Trevor Noah, Naomi Campbell and Oprah Winfrey were some of the other stars headlining the festival
During the night, Beyonce took the stage for a nearly two hour set in a series of ornate costumes.
Bey and Jay even showcased a couples costume change when the duo swapped their floral and fuchsia looks for something more holiday inspired.
The record producer slipped into a sleek grey double breasted suit while his wife stepped into a bespoke emerald number.
Costume change: The couple switched into a grey and emerald number for another bit of their performance
Open letter: Before the show Bey penned a note to the late South African president for whom the event was honoring
‘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.’
The Halo singer rocked an embellished green body suit that had a silken train and billowing statement sleeves.
The mother of three flaunted her enviable physique in a black and white printed sequin and beaded top and leather short-shorts.
A dramatic plume of white, grey and black feathers outlined her shoulders and arms.
Amazing: The event benefited Global Citizen, an advocacy group which campaigns for an end to extreme poverty
Duets: Later in the show Beyonce took to the stage with Ed Sheeran
Spectacular: The Queen’s hot pink gown gave the illusion that she was flying
The stunning look was topped off by a massive gold turtleneck collar and enormous flower earrings, along with a thin pair of black sunglasses.
And, the 37-year-old showed off her bootylicious curves in black patent leather over the knee boots.
The Formation singer later changed into an over-the-top gown for a performance with British crooner Ed Sheeran.
Amazing! The star tapped local talent to help her on stage for some of the show
Crooner: Ed Sheeran performs during the Global Citizen Festival on Sunday
While Ed came casual in jeans and a T-shirt with his acoustic guitar, Bey wore a hot pink tulle accordion gown with sleeves that formed what looked like butterfly wings.
Before the event, which would have been on the former South African president’s 100th birthday, Beyonce penned an open letter to Mandela.
‘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,’ the singer wrote in the letter.
Sing! Chris Martin was one of a star studded list of celebrities to address the crowd during the tribute event
Remembering: Pharrell Williams was another one of the headliners at the stadium for a 2013 memorial after the death of Mandela today
Adding: ‘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.’
The event benefited Global Citizen, an advocacy group which campaigns for an end to extreme poverty.
Many of the guests won tickets to Sunday’s concert through charity work and petition-signing.
A good cause: Usher gave an energetic performance to the roaring crowds and even changed into an African inspired outfit for part of his gig
In honor: Chris Martin and Pharrell Williams give a joint-performance in the Johannesburg stadium today
Legacy Zama Mandela (center) and other members of the Mandela family speak on stage to thank the capacity crowd for coming to the event
World leaders gathered at the same stadium for a 2013 memorial after the death of Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader and South Africa’s first black president.
The stadium was filled by thousands attending the concert. The festival gave a platform to government leaders, CEOs and others who pledged more funding for health care and other social programs.
In a recorded video message, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta promised more money in the national budget.
Naomi Campbell arriving at the event (left) and the model addressing the crowd at Johannesburg’s FNB Stadium (right)
Comedians Trevor Noah and Dave Chappelle speak on stage during the Global Citizen Festival
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a $50 million pledge for education for girls and women around the world.
‘This is amazing!’ festival host Trevor Noah said as Trudeau’s tweet was shown on a big stadium screen.
Noah earlier recalled a comment by Mandela that poverty could be overcome through determined action. South Africa, where white minority rule ended a quarter-century ago, is struggling with one of the world’s highest rates of income inequality.
Soweto Gospel Choir perform in a maze of colour as the stage lit up with ecclesiastical images behind them
Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk