Human Rights Festival this year packed with festivities –including 1000 Drums
The 1000 Drums session is part of the Constitution Hill’s Human Rights Festival, one of Gauteng’s significant public events from the 26th to 29th March 2026
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
A drumming festival, which started as an event to mobilise against the war in Palestine, has now scaled up to include wars that are raging at home– on African soil.This latest ant-war development involving mass drumming in Johannesburg is quite pertinent and significant in many ways in that when this festival started, it was restricted to dealing with the issues in Palestine. This is a war that has been taking place between Israel and Palestine for years now, and whose outcome is uncertain, but its destruction of both life and property spine chilling.
However, since the drumming festival was started, now an annual event in Johannesburg, some however, have questioned the logic of raising the destructive nature of war in Palestine, while ignoring equally damaging conflict on the African continent, where wars have left thousands displaced, dead, and scarred.
What the drumming festival detractors have argued is that life everywhere should be valued, including African lives, alongside that of humanity as a whole, including the life of Palestinians who are facing a certain existential threat as a result of the raging war.
The organisers of the festival, which takes place under the auspices of the annual Human rights Festival at Constitution Hill (March 26-28) are calling for the public to join the festivities. The drumming session itself, takes place on Saturday, 28 March, 2026.
This year however, the organisers have expanded their anti-war efforts by raising issues in other African countries where wars are causing devastation, including the loss of life, mass displacement and destruction of infrastructure also.
“We have the 1000 drums, your drum is waiting for you to come and beat. Just bring yourself.
We are drumming for change in Palestine, the DRC, Sudan, Western Sahara, Swaziland and indeed in South Africa. We will have speakers and artists from these countries. We will also express our solidarity with the people of Iran, Lebanon, Venezuela and Cuba.
Speakers include Shomari Mukandjwa of the Congo Solidarity Campaign, Zukiswa Wanner journalist and Palestine activist, Roshan Dadoo of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS).
Come and listen to our poems and cultural items and call to end the wars and genocide!
The ConHill Human Rights Festival 2026 runs from Thursday 26th – Sunday 29th March and celebrates its 8th year of championing human rights causes. The Festival supports social justice movements and brings much needed NGO services directly to the public! Come and experience it,” the organisesr said in a statement.
However this year, the program for the festival is quite extensive, and the 1000 Drumming Session is just one of its several components.
Celebrating it’s 8th year, the festival invites the public to commemorate South Africa’s Human Rights Month and celebrate the memory of those liberation heroes who took a stand for human rights in the Sharpeville 1960 massacre (21 March – National Human Rights Day).
The 2026 theme isRemembering the Past. Engaging the Present. Shaping a Just Future. The festival aims to create greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry.
Head of Conhill’s Public Programs Reuben Phasha: “This year’s Human Rights Festival is more than just an annual event – it is a crucial year in the heritage legacy of South Africa and we should proudly contribute to immortalizing our legacy and champion Human Rights. This is an opportunity to be part of creating a future we can be proud of as a nation. We look forward to welcoming the public to join us over these four days of reflection and togetherness. This year we commemorate 30years of SA’s world renowned Constitution; 50 years since the Soweto Uprising and 70 years since the signing of the Freedom Charter and the 1956 Women’s March that changed the history of the role of Women in Human Rights & Justice.”
These three days offer a range of workshops; public dialogues; debates and access to Activism Row where the public can interact with national and global NGO’s seek assistance and pledge support towards their causes.
The Visions of Freedom Film Festival
Curated by Monday Pictures presents two inspiring days of film that explore the power and importance of constitutionalism. Through a selection of South African and international films, the festival examines the benefits of constitutional democracy as well as the growing challenges it faces. The festival promises two informative and engaging days, using powerful storytelling to spark reflection on the value of human rights and the ongoing work of protecting them.’
“We are really excited to collaborate with constitution hill once again in this unique festival that brings activist filmmakers under one roof with the larger advocacy sector.” Mmabatho Montsho and Refilwe Montsho – Film Festival Co Producers:
1000 Drums
The third edition of 1000 Drums for solidarity which was launched in 2024 in support of the struggle in Palestine and South Africa’s strong show of solidarity, invited the public to come together to make a strong statement of togetherness and support. Free to join and hosted on the 28th of March this event is not to be missed!
MUSIC
This year Constitution Hill has joined forces to support Friends of Blanco – Daytime Freshers Festival.This edition of the this event, hosted on the 28th of March is geared towards raising funds to support tertiary students in paying their student fees. This is a creative and innovative way to utilize our culture’s love of music and creativity to make an positive impact and enforce the Constitutional Right to Learn. In line with the public programs curated by Constitution Hill towards developing the Creative economy and supporting youth, we encourage the public to contribute to this cause and be entertained by the some of Mzanzi’s brightest talent and the legendary Kelvin Momo who is headlining the festival. The event starts at 12h30 and ends at 01h00. Tickets from R150 @howler.co.za
The WeThePeople Walk: On Sunday, March 29th, Constitution Hill invites the public to the last day of the event to take a stand and join together for Human Rights in the WeThePeopleWalk and Fit City Run through the city. Offering a 5km Walk, 5km Run and 10km Run. The day has a full program kicking off from 7.30am. After the walk and run participants return to the site for wellness offerings; recovery event activations; entertainment activities and all the spoils from the Gauteng Curated Makers Market. Relax, unwind and enjoy the perfect Sunday made for family and friends! R80.00pp Tickets on Webtickets: https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1589972235
There is something for everyone to look forward to:
· Theatre; Poetry and live performances
· The Book Fair – showcasing local authors and book readings
· The Human Rights Film festival curated by Monday Pictures provides a series of film screenings and related discussions promoting local production and creativity
· The Kid’s Festival is a creative space where children will learn about their rights and responsibilities through visual art creation sessions, performing art sessions (theatre, drama, and poetry and children’s storytellers.
More about the Festival:
The event also strives to build solidarity, social cohesion and tolerance of difference and heal divisions in our communities. Over it’s growth, the Human Rights Festival serves as both a global inspiration and display of the strength of South Africa’s ubuntu culture.
Civil society organisations have worked with Constitution Hill to shape a unique programme. Hosted at the newly opened People’s Park at Constitution Hill, the Festival will bring together a public audience; community-based organisations; social movements; government & non-governmental organisations, and international organisations.
Event Highlights:
This festival has a range of significant and entertaining events to enjoy at the festival.
26th March:
· NGO Capacity Building sessions;
· Learners Programs
· Public dialogue sessions
27th March:
· Multiple interactive sessions including workshops & dialogues
· Family fun at the Children’s village
· Explore international and local authors at the Book Fair & enjoy book readings
· Don’t miss the Visions of Freedom Film festival – Two informative and engaging days, using powerful storytelling to spark reflection on constitutionalism and the value of human rights and the ongoing work of protecting them
· Catch live poetry segments & theatre performances
· Support Local at the Gauteng Curated maker’s market for unique, locally produced goods & delicious food
28 March: 08h00 – 00h00
· Join 1000 Drums for Solidarity and make a statement
· Attend multiple interactive sessions including workshops, debates & dialogues
· Family fun at the Children’s village
· Explore international and local authors book fair and enjoy book readings
· Don’t miss the Visions of Freedom Film festival – Two informative and engaging days, using powerful storytelling to spark reflection on constitutionalism and the value of
· Catch live poetry segments & theatre performances
· Support Local at the curated maker’s market for unique, locally produced goods & delicious food
· Get your tickets for The Friends of Blanco – Daytime Freshers Festival
29 March: 07h30 – 19h00
· The iconic WeThePeople Walk is back! The WeThePeopleWalk has teamed up with Fit City to bring you the first ever walk and run through the vibrant streets of Jozi. Get your tickets for any of the categories: 5km Walk, 5km Run and 10km Run.
· The day has a full program kicking off from 7.30am. After the walk and run participants return to the site for wellness offerings; recovery event activations; music, entertainment activities and all the spoils from the Gauteng Curated Makers Market. Relax, unwind and enjoy the perfect Sunday made for family and friends!
.Everyone is welcome and entrance is FREE from the 26th to the 28th and entry to the We The People Walk is R80.00pp.
Check out the full program at www.humanrightsfestival.co.za and for tickets go to https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1589972235,