Basha Uhuru Festival to honour legacy of 1976 youth uprising

The festival will feature a programme of music, film, theatre, poetry, entrepreneurship and public discussions aimed at exploring themes of youth activism, creative expression and social change.

A key event on the programme is the Sounds of Freedom music festival, scheduled for 27 June at People’s Park, Constitution Hill. The line-up includes artists such as Nasty C, Zee Nxumalo, DJ Tira, Bucie and DJ Cleo, alongside a number of emerging performers.

The festival will also present its annual Basha Uhuru Legacy Award to Skwatta Kamp in recognition of the group's contribution to South African music and creative expression. Previous recipients have included Mandla Spikiri, Thebe, Alaska and Boom Shaka.

In addition, Constitution Hill will unveil a mural honouring late creative entrepreneur and publicist Maria McCloy. The artwork, created by artist Lazi Mathebula, will be installed on the public mural wall along Joubert Street, adjacent to the mural dedicated to Hugh Masekela.

The festival's Curated Makers Market will showcase products from local entrepreneurs, designers and artisans, including fashion, jewellery, crafts and other creative goods. Food vendors, exhibitions and live art activations will also form part of the programme.

The conference component begins on 24 June with the Youth Summit on the Hill, a two-day gathering organised by WeThePeopleSA in partnership with Constitution Hill Development Company and the Seth Mazibuko Foundation. The summit will bring together young leaders, students, educators and activists to discuss constitutional literacy, civic participation and contemporary social challenges.

Speakers are expected to include Soweto uprising leader and foundation founder Seth Mazibuko, Constitutional Court Justice Kollapen, acting Constitutional Court judge Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, South African Human Rights Commission commissioner Tshepo Madlingozi and Johannesburg Junior Mayor Kamo Malikane, among others.

Other free public events include Iqhawe Magazine's "Back to the Future: Remembering the Road to 2026" conference, a music business masterclass hosted by Groove Academy with participation from industry organisations including SAMRO and SAMPRA, the Visions of Freedom Film Festival, and a theatre production titled The Uprising – 50 Years On: Aluta Must Not Continue June 1976 – June 2026.

The poetry programme will feature performances by poets including Mak Manaka, Modise Sekgothe and Xabiso Vili, whose work explores themes of social justice, identity and creative freedom.

Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, said the festival provides opportunities for young people to engage with the creative sector.

“Basha Uhuru is more than a festival – it is a celebration of the power, resilience and imagination of South Africa's youth. We are thrilled to see thousands of young people gather at Constitution Hill to commemorate 50 years of youth activism and creative freedom through music, art, film, entrepreneurship and dialogue,” she said.

Belu Mabandla, Executive Head of Destination Marketing and Events at Joburg Tourism Company, said the organisation viewed cultural events as contributors to economic activity and tourism promotion.

“Our partnership with the Basha Uhuru Festival reflects Joburg Tourism’s commitment to leveraging culture, heritage and creativity as powerful drivers of economic growth and destination promotion,” Mabandla said.