Basha Uhuru, taking place at Constitution Hill, will commence on June 21st with Creative Week and culminate in the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival on June 24th. Creative Week encompasses a diverse array of events, such as music industry workshops, a creative wellness program, panel discussions, exhibitions, and films.
The music festival on Saturday, from 10:00 am to 02:00 am, will showcase performances by renowned artists including DJ Zinhle, Kwesta, Samthing Soweto, Shekhinah, Thando Nje, Sol Phenduka, Marcus Harvey and Friends, GYRE, IzangoMA, Ms Party, KMAT DJ, Boujeena, SweeterBrown, Mam'Thug, RANGER, KITCHENMESS, Lyndow, and a super special guest performance from this year's Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award recipient, THEBE! Tickets for the festival are priced at R150.00 and can be purchased on Webtickets.
While Basha Uhuru is widely known as a festival, it serves as a platform for Constitution Hill's Creative Uprising Hub to exhibit, promote, and support individuals in the creative sector. This gathering provides a focal point for the Gauteng creative community to come together and celebrate their artistic endeavours.
The Creative Uprising is a youth movement closely associated with a creative, open-minded, and often non-conformist and unconventional community. It positions Constitution Hill as a hub for urban culture inspired by music, art, and urban lifestyles. Launched in 2020, the ongoing Creative Uprising program aims to empower and assist creatives, including makers, artisans, craftspeople, illustrators, entertainers, artists, and digital designers. By becoming members of the program, they gain access to studio spaces, business support, education, market opportunities, networking, and various platforms for self-expression. The program incorporates a range of activities such as seminars, masterclasses, dialogues, and capacity-building programs that take place throughout the year.
The focus of the Basha Uhuru festival is on enriching and developing creativity, rather than solely pursuing commercial outcomes. The primary objective is to leverage funds for maximum impact rather than prioritizing profit generation.
Program: June 21st – 23rd, 2023
WORKSHOPS June 21st, 2023 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – FREE (limited space available).
HOW TO "JOC" YOUR EVENT PRESENTED BY CITY OF JOBURG
The Joint Operations Committee (JOC), established by the City of Johannesburg, ensures the safety and compliance of all events held in the city, ranging from major music festivals to domestic gatherings like township weddings. Event organizers must adhere to specific procedures outlined by the City's JOC to ensure safety. This workshop is designed for event organizers with basic knowledge of the JOC application process who have successfully organized an event within the past year. To register, please submit a link with your company profile through the provided registration link.
June 22nd & 23rd - 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
THE CREATIVE WELLNESS PROGRAMME PRESENTED BY THE BUBBLEGUM CLUB
Tickets: R25 per person per day. R50 for both days – Tickets can be redeemed for refreshment vouchers. The Creative Wellness Programme, organized by BASHA UHURA in collaboration with The Bubblegum Club, is a two-day program aimed at empowering creatives in various aspects of their lives and artistic practice, promoting a well-balanced lifestyle. The first day focuses on providing functional and practical support to help creatives capitalize on their creativity. The second day aims to support participants' mental health and personal well-being through a range of activities that facilitate navigation in the world.
June 23rd, 2023 - 2:00 pm – 5:15 pm THE FUTURE OF MUSIC: LIVE OR DIGITAL...OR?
Concert SA Music Workshop, Lekgotla Room, 2:00 pm – 5:15 pm This workshop, presented by Concert SA Music Workshop and featuring insights from the Music in Africa research published in 2022, explores key issues in the music industry. The discussion will include input from various music industry professionals, including the talented Basha Uhuru headline artist Shekinah.
FILM
June 21st, 2023 - 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ABAFANA ABABI DIRECTOR: ZIGGY HOFMEYR ACTORS: MATLI MOHAPELOA, THOMAS GUMEDE
"Abafana Ababi" tells the story of best friends Thebe and Gift, who grew up in poverty in Orlando, Soweto, and aspired to become wealthy. They choose a path of crime, resembling modern-day Robin Hoods, stealing only from the wealthy who obtained their riches through illicit means, and sharing their spoils with the community. Guided by three rules – stealing with a clear conscience, avoiding bloodshed, and targeting significant amounts – they become instant millionaires after a successful heist. However, their extravagant lifestyle soon lands them in trouble while living their dreams, leading to a series of chaotic events.
June 22nd, 2023 - 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm PIET'S SAKE 2
DIRECTOR: NORMAN MAAKE ACTORS: FEATURING WARREN MASEMOLA, MOTLATSI MAFATSHE, KASERAN PILLAY, SIYABONGA AND TWALA, MBUSO KHOZA
"Piet's Sake 2" follows the story of Melusi, the son of a wealthy Zulu polygamist, and his Indian varsity lecturer, Amit. These two individuals engage in a contest to determine who can better embody youthfulness or adulthood. A twist of fate leads them to swap lives, experiencing a comedy of errors during two culturally significant ceremonies they are both involved in. Melusi must navigate being a lecturer and husband to two wives, while Amit, forced into an arranged marriage, must adjust to village life and his father's expectations. Through their hilarious body swap experience, they learn valuable lessons about appreciating their own lives and the lives of others.
June 23rd, 2023 - 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm THE UMBRELLA MEN
DIRECTOR: JOHN BARKER ACTORS: KEENAN ARRISON, BRONTE SNELL, JAQUES DE SILVA, SHAMILLA MILLER
Jerome Adams, a charismatic musician, arrives in Cape Town for his estranged father's funeral, only to discover that his father, Gershwin, has bequeathed him his beloved Goema nightclub and the responsibility of caring for The Umbrella Men minstrel troupe. Unfortunately, due to a dubious deal orchestrated by the long-time family rival Tariek Cupido, the club faces the risk of repossession unless a substantial payment is made within two weeks. Jerome conflicted about his culture, the minstrels, and his father's Goema music, embarks on a journey to save the club. This comedy-drama explores themes of cultural identity, family legacies, and personal growth.
EXHIBITIONS & PANEL DISCUSSIONS June 21st – 23rd, 2023 - 10:00 am – 6:00 pm CONSTITUTION HILL
Various exhibition spaces at Constitution Hill will showcase works from a range of visual artists exploring themes of social justice, identity, heritage, and freedom. Panel discussions will accompany the exhibitions, facilitating meaningful dialogues on these topics. Entry is free and open to the public.
SOUNDS OF FREEDOM MUSIC FESTIVAL June 24th, 2023 - 10:00 am – 02:00 am
The Sounds of Freedom Music Festival, the highlight of Basha Uhuru, will feature an electrifying lineup of renowned artists who represent the diverse sounds of South Africa. DJ Zinhle, Kwesta, Samthing Soweto, Shekhinah, Thando Nje, Sol Phenduka, Marcus Harvey and Friends, GYRE, IzangoMA, Ms Party, KMAT DJ, Boujeena, SweeterBrown, Mam'Thug, RANGER, KITCHENMESS, Lyndow, and a surprise guest will grace the stage. Tickets for the festival are priced at R150.00 and can be purchased on Webtickets.
Basha Uhuru Festival, held annually at Constitution Hill, is a celebration of creative expression and a platform for promoting and supporting individuals in the creative sector. The festival encompasses a range of events, including workshops, exhibitions, films, panel discussions, and the culminating Sounds of Freedom Music Festival. It serves as a gathering for the Gauteng creative community to come together and celebrate their artistic endeavours.
The Creative Uprising Hub at Constitution Hill acts as a focal point for urban culture inspired by music, art, and urban lifestyles. The Creative Uprising program, launched in 2020, empowers and supports creatives in various disciplines, providing them with access to studio spaces, business support, education, market opportunities, and networking platforms. The program includes seminars, masterclasses, dialogues, and capacity-building programs throughout the year.
The primary objective of Basha Uhuru is to nurture and develop creativity rather than solely pursuing commercial outcomes. The festival aims to leverage funds for maximum impact, prioritizing the broader cultural enrichment of the community.
