Basha Uhuru Festival to rock Constitutional Hill

The Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival is set to make a triumphant return to Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein between Wednesday, 21 and Saturday, 24 June, as it acknowledges, celebrates, and pays tribute to the youth of South Africa.

The festival’s line-up will feature an array of prominent local superstars, including DJ Zinhle, Kwesta, Samthing Soweto, Shekhinah, and many others. This year’s Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award recipient, THEBE, will grace the stage as a guest performer.

“We are proud to host the 2023 Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival back at full scale as Con Hill’s flagship Youth Month event,” says Dawn Robertson, CEO of Constitutional Hill.

Established in 2012, this annual celebration has gained international recognition for its pivotal role in uplifting today’s youth while also providing a platform for honouring the freedom fighters of the historic Soweto uprising in 1976.

With its multifaceted purpose, the festival offers a diverse range of activities and experiences for attendees. Among these is the Creative Week Conference, taking place from Wednesday, 21 to Friday, 23 June, followed by the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival, which takes place on Saturday, 24 June.

Robertson says over the years, Basha Uhuru has given birth to “The Creative Uprising,” an ever-evolving programme that includes the Creative Hub, established in 2020.

“Focused on development, collaboration, and upskilling creatives, the work of the hub will help to grow and support the creative economy in Gauteng,” she says.

During the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival Creative Week, creatives will have the opportunity to showcase their talents, network with like-minded Joburgers, and draw inspiration from the array of offerings. Each day promises a different vibe, including masterclasses, panel discussions, workshops, and dialogues that offer a unique atmosphere and experience.

“It’s exciting to once again partner with Basha Uhuru to celebrate the creativity of South Africa’s youth. At Nando’s, we believe that creativity changes lives, which is why we’re passionate about nurturing and showcasing creative talent, and creating market access for young artists, designers, and musicians, as well as democratising creativity by opening it up to more people,” says Kirsty Niehaus, Nando’s Marketing Manager for the Creativity Portfolio.

Niehaus adds that festivalgoers can look forward to seeing hitmaker Shekinah take the main stage during the creative conference, sharing her journey and insights.

Concluding the festival on Saturday, 24 June, the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival will provide a platform for emerging artists and fresh talent to perform and revel in a variety of musical genres.

Taking place at Constitutional Hill, a remarkable landmark and esteemed tourist attraction that bears witness to South Africa’s tumultuous past and offers hope for the future, the festival promises to be a momentous occasion.

Doors open at 10am, and for the first time ever, attendees have the option to purchase tickets for individual days or the entire week, enabling them to tailor their experience to their specific interests.

No admission will be granted to people younger than 18. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=153045158 for R150 or at the door for R200.