In celebration of Mandela 100, Beyoncé recently shared a letter to late anti-Apartheid struggle hero and former South African president Nelson Mandela. In the letter, which can be read in its entirety on Queen B’s official website, the R&B; star recalls meeting Madiba for the first time in 2004 and visiting his cell in Robben Island where him and other struggle heroes were imprisoned by the apartheid government.
She also acknowledges the impact the life of Madiba has had on her, writing:
“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.”
The artist wrote that it’s an honor for her to travel to South African this week “in celebration of you and your efforts to write so many wrongs.” Towards the end of the letter, B writes:
“As we celebrate the Global Citizen: 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.”
Queen B and her rapper hubby Jay-Z will perform at the Global Citizen: Mandela 100 concert this Sunday, alongside the likes of Ed Sheeran, Cassper Nyovest, D’Banj, Femi Kuti, Pharrell, Sho Madjozi, Tiwa Savage, Usher and a few more.
Read Beyonce’s letter here;
