The first time I heard the term ‘Global Citizen’ was in 2018, when the organization announced that it would host its Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December, featuring artists like Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin, Usher, Jay-Z, and Beyoncé. Also, the best part? It was going to be absolutely free.
Suffice to say, I wasn’t the only one sceptical about the entire thing, until I did my due diligence as a journalist and found out that they had not only been hosting these events since 2012, but they had been doing everything in their power, alongside the power of global citizen’s i.e our actions via the offical Global Citizen app, to generate real change in the world. Now, the last time the organization had been in South Africa was in 2018, so they had to come back with a bang – and what better way than laying out the red carpet for Doja Cat’s official homecoming as part of their Move Afrika tour?
Global Citizen Move Afrika: Pretoria: Where Music Meets Meaning
While you may think that Global Citizen’s Move Afrika tour is just about the music, it’s really about people at its core. Each event creates job opportunities across the live events value chain, from sound and lighting to logistics and creative services, all by working with local crews, suppliers, and artists. The result is hands-on skills transfer and stronger local production ecosystems aimed at extending beyond a single show.
The first Move Afrika event, Move Afrika: Rwanda, was held in Kigali in December 2023 and was headlined by Grammy Award-winning, Super Bowl Halftime performer, Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Kendrick Lamar. Now, by hosting their latest concert in South Africa’s administrative capital, Move Afrika: Pretoria has prioritized job creation, skill training, and youth entrepreneurship in a country plagued by unemployment.
Now, as amazing as the work done by Global Citizen is, it would be hard to ignore how much of our attention is about the music. For South African fans who were left disappointed with Doja Cat’s homecoming cancellation in 2025, Global Citizen came to the rescue, resulting in one of the best performances on South African soil in recent memory.
The Joy Before Doja
Since the closure of the Ticketpro Dome, the SunBet Arena in Pretoria has become the official venue for many concerts, and for someone who stays in Joburg, this isn’t always my favourite thing. As getting to the venue can be an experience in itself, I opted for the park-and-ride option, catching a shuttle from Montecasino – one of several pick-up points that also included Sandton and Melrose Arch. While it was a bit of a long journey, it proved to be a much more convenient alternative to Ubering directly to the arena.
Once I got there, it was clear that the party had barely started. Doors opened at 17:30, but the venue was only about half full, with long queues still stretching as fans made their way in.
The first act to take the stage was The Joy at 19:15, and while I had never heard of them before, it was clear that the rest of the crowd had, as they eagerly cheered throughout their set. What’s more, Doja Cat herself has three songs with the acapella group, and while she didn’t join them on stage, I did spot her watching their performance near the stage (I maintain she waved at me and not just in my general direction), and the quintet even posted backstage videos of them hanging out with the Grammy winner.
Moonchild Brings the Energy
As subdued as The Joy’s performance was, we definitely needed something a little extra to bring the vibes and energy, and who better to do that than Moonchild? At 20:00, the Grammy-nominated musician stepped on stage and gave a performance that was vibrant, expressive, and proudly South African.
What’s more, she also brought out Kamo Mphela as a surprise guest, which sent the almost-full arena into a frenzy and injected it with much-needed energy. In fact, by the time she wrapped up just before 21:00, we were fully alive and ready for the much-anticipated main act.
The Full Doja Cat Experience
While her set was slated to start at 21:00, my view of the stage allowed me to catch a backstage view of Doja’s dancers making their way up to the stage at 20:57, and by 20:59, Doja Cat made her entrance.
From the very first song, the production value was undeniable, and as a fellow former drama kid, I loved how her performance leaned heavily into theatrics with dramatic lighting, bursts of fire, and immersive visuals that elevated the entire show.
As she’s currently on a World Tour, Doja’s set was all about her latest, incredible offering Vie (2025), so I was a little disappointed as I consider myself a Planet Her (2021) girl. Nonetheless, she did perform the biggest tracks from the album, including ‘Woman’ and ‘Get Into It’.
I also appreciated how she kept the same setlist as her performances in other countries – especially because American artists are often guilty of robbing African audiences of the full experience.
Serving Looks, Stamina, and Stage Presence
For nearly an hour and twenty minutes, Doja captivated the audience with her electrifying performance, radiating energy that kept all of us on our toes. For those who don’t consider themselves fans, it was impossible not to be impressed by her remarkable talent and the dedication evident in her fit physique. At just 30 years old, she’s cemented herself as a true powerhouse on stage.
Beyond her toned physique, her African-inspired outfit also stood out as one of the night’s defining elements. By wearing leopard print on her crown and waist, tiger accents over her shoulders, and ostrich details on her wrists, she created a look that was bold, intentional, and visually striking.
That said, as she performed songs spanning different eras of her remarkable career, I would have preferred outfit changes to reflect the distinct aesthetics of her Billboard-charting albums.
Speaking more on her outfit, not everything went perfectly as a wardrobe malfunction led to Doja exclaiming “haibo” to the crowd, right before she delved into a flawless performance of ‘Paint The Town Red‘, which proved just how polished but relatable the singer is.
Zandile Is Home
It’s no secret to many South Africans where Doja Cat’s parentage hails from, so throughout the show, the crowd found a powerful way to connect with her by chanting “Zandile,” her second, South African name.
The chant echoed across the arena, growing louder each time, and by the end, it had clearly moved her, with her even admitting at the end of the show.:
“For a place I’ve never been, this truly feels like home.”
It was definitely one of the most emotional moments of the evening, highlighting the connection between the star and her South African fans.
After thanking Global Citizen for organizing the event and reminding us about the incredible work that they do, the start closed the night out, handing out roses to fans at the front of the stage – which was the one time I regretted not embracing my youthful knees and choosing a standing ticket over a seated one.
Nonetheless, the entire experience was incredible from start to finish (minus the exorbitant food prices), and it’s left a lasting impression on me, and I’m sure everyone who attended. Congratulations, Global Citizen and Big Concerts – you’ve once again proven why you’re the best at what you do.
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