Why it works to have a celebrity like Angelina Jolie advance your cause

Angelina Jolie was recently in SA to address AU summit on violence against women in conflict areas, which clarified the fact that getting a celeb on board helps advance a cause and get it in headlines.

The agenda wasn't altogether headline grabbing, but when Jolie was spotted arriving at OR Tambo airport to address the summit, journalists started scrambling, News24.com has reported.

The 40-year-old's visit went unannounced "because of security concerns around crowd control". Sources also said that she also didn't wanted it to be about her, but about the cause she was advancing.

Celebrities might not be solving the world's many, complex problems, but they certainly highlight various important issues like U2 singer Bono for shedding light on issues like poverty, hunger, health and security in Africa or for environmental issues, Leonardo DiCaprio probably comes to mind.