Nomzamo Mbatha to Shine at 2024 Global Citizen Festival: A Celebration of Music, Activism, and Sustainability

Nomzamo Mbatha is set to make a spectacular return to the Global Citizen Festival stage in 2024, continuing her impressive streak as a prominent figure in both entertainment and advocacy. Fresh off her Best African Actress win at the Septimius Awards in Amsterdam for her portrayal of Queen Nandi in “Shaka iLembe,” Mbatha will take on the role of presenter at this year’s highly anticipated event.

Scheduled for September 28, 2024, the festival will unfold at Central Park’s Great Lawn in New York City, hosted by Hugh Jackman, renowned for his roles in “Deadpool” and “Wolverine.” The lineup of performers is set to include an array of top artists such as Coldplay’s Chris Martin, RAYE, Benson Boone, Post Malone, Doja Cat, LISA, Jelly Roll, and Rauw Alejandro.

Alongside Mbatha, the event will feature a star-studded roster of presenters including Antoni Porowski, Bill Nye, Bridget Moynahan, Charlamagne Tha God, Danai Gurira, Eric Adjepong, Gavin DeGraw, and Jordan Fisher. Other notable presenters will be Rachel Brosnahan, Kal Penn, Liza Koshy, Doctor Mike Varshavski, Osi Umenyiora, Rhett & Link, Sophia Bush, and Vladimir Duthiers.

Adding a touch of South African pride, the festival is being supported by the Motsepe Foundation, led by Patrice Motsepe and Dr. Precious Moloi, alongside prominent partners like Citi, Cisco, Delta Air Lines, and PayPal. The event is expected to draw around 60,000 global citizens and will be a hub for advocacy and action focused on global equity.

A significant highlight of this year’s festival is its commitment to sustainability. For the first time, the Central Park stage will be powered by a SmartGrid battery system—a cutting-edge technology also used by Coldplay during their “Music of the Spheres” tour. Additionally, the festival’s collaboration with Showpower Global BV, CES Power, and Equitable Earth aims to minimize its carbon footprint, making it a pioneer in eco-friendly festival practices.

Organizers have emphasized the critical role of climate change in exacerbating poverty, projecting that it could push an extra 100 million people into severe financial hardship by 2030. This year, the festival is focusing on the Amazon rainforest’s role in combating climate change. The Amazon’s capacity to offset 12 years of global emissions is crucial, equating to the emissions of 40,000 coal power plants.

In partnership with Re, UN Global Compact Network Brazil, and other campaign allies, the festival is advocating for $1 billion (approximately R17 billion) in investments by 2025 to protect and restore the Amazon. Furthermore, the festival supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, calling for a swift and fully funded phase-out of fossil fuels.

Michael Sheldrick, co-founder and chief policy, impact, and government affairs officer of the festival, expressed the event’s mission: “Global Citizen Festival has always been about using the power of music and activism to drive real, tangible change.”