The Global Citizen Festival returned to Central Park in New York City on September 28, 2024, with an unforgettable day of music and advocacy. The festival, attended by 60,000 people, brought together artists, activists, and world leaders to fight against extreme poverty and tackle issues like climate change.
Doja Cat stole the spotlight with her powerful performance, wearing a stunning open-flow dress that resembled the South African flag. Her look quickly went viral on X (formerly Twitter), with users praising her tribute to her heritage. “@JohnsonAwalle” tweeted, “The person who captured this pic of Doja Cat should be celebrated daily, So ICON,” while “@Rj_Vj_Rohit” added, “She’s embracing her heritage so beautifully this year… I really hope she does a show in SA too.” Fans were moved by her reconnection to her roots, with many expressing hope for a future performance in South Africa.
Doja Cat wasn’t just there to perform; she used her platform to speak out about global injustices, drawing attention to the crises in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and the Congo. Her advocacy struck a chord with the audience, amplifying the festival’s message of action for a better world.
South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha also made her mark at the event. As a Global Citizen Ambassador, Nomzamo took the stage to discuss urgent global issues such as the climate crisis, gender inequality, and food insecurity. She also hosted backstage interviews with performers, deepening the conversations about the causes driving extreme poverty.
Nomzamo has a long history with Global Citizen, having first joined the movement in 2018 at the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg. Her commitment to activism and her powerful presence at this year’s event underscored her dedication to making a difference.
With unforgettable performances, calls to action from global leaders, and bold moments of advocacy, the 2024 Global Citizen Festival left a lasting impact.
The person who captured this pic of Doja Cat should be celebrated daily, So ICONIC 
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— Charlieafrikka (@JohnsonAwalle) September 29, 2024Doja Cat speaks up against the injustice happening in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, the Congo & other countries at @GlblCtzn festival tonight.
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— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 29, 2024@DojaCat so ICONIC!
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— Fortune Sebela (@fortunesebelaa) September 29, 2024
