Nandos and Con Hill bring back Basha Uhuru, a feast of arts in the city

The line up of events this year range from visual art, music, film, to business conferences

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

When Covid-19 struck in 2020 many events including arts festivals were affected in South Africa, just as they were throughout the world.

However with Covid-19 restrictions relaxed during Level 1 lockdown, fans of Basha Uhuru, one of the most popular entertainment items on Gauteng’s entertainment calendar, which was disrupted in 2020, will be happy to know that their festival is back and can be attended physically. And just like in the past, the line up this year promises to get music fans flocking to the venue to be entertained by some of the most exciting acts in South Africa. This is in addition to other events in the arts that are part of the festival menu this year, catering for every taste in the arts.

Yesterday the organized announced that The Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival is back and fired up by Nandos, the festival promises fire works on stage for fans.

“In 2021,the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising is back, and excited to once again be fired up by long term partner Nando’s. The Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising main festival from 28-30 Octobeer 2021 brings the hottest art, music, film, design, dance, theatre, poetry, a makers market and conference sessions to one of Johannesburg’s most iconic landmarks Constitution Hill. Participants will enjoy a three-day  programme that will also be streamed live – showcasing, celebrating and nurturing creative talent,” the organisers announced in a statement released yesterday.

Highlights this year include music from Langa Mavuso, Sun El Musician, Ms Party, MX Blouse, SIO, Marcus Harvey, Easy Freek,  Fif_Laaa, Thandonje and more at the music festival on the 30th of October. Tickets are R100 from Webtickets. For more information and tickets for all programs and events from 28 to 30 October visit  www.bashauhuru.co.za . 

The Basha Uhuru Festival has been recognised as one of the top festivals in Mzansi. In 2020 the festival had to be  reimagined in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic. 2020 saw the birth of the first Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Festival, allowing the event to be held in a hybrid format accommodating a small physical audience and full live streaming to virtual audiences globally.

“The Creative Uprising has been scaled to support our creative community most affected by the current COVID-19 crisis, and  has grown into an always-on programme not just the three day festival.” says. .” Constitution Hill Chief Executive Officer , Dawn Robertson “

Due to Covid  lockdown levels Basha Uhuru is taking place in October this year and not June (National Youth Month), as has been tradition. Happening from 28 to 30 October and hosted at the iconic Human Rights Precint and Heritage Site, this year’s event also includes a month of lead-up events. Lead up events showcase the creative SME’s who have been allocated working studios at Constitution Hill’s Transwerke building allowing for them to continue to grow their business using a barter system and reduced or no rentals for their workspaces.

“Investment in the  creative economy is essential in advancing our GGT2030 Agenda particularly in its ambition to promote decent work and build an inclusive society in which the fundamental freedoms of all citizens are protected. Constitution Hill has reinvented itself as a creative industries aggregator focused on youth self-employment. The Creative Uprising Hub and Basha Uhuru Festival are integral to achieving this goal.” says Parks Tau, MEC Economic Development in Gauteng.

 “Creativity is the heart and soul of the Nando’s brand and business philosophy, which is why we’re excited to once again be bringing the heat to Johannesburg’s favourite creative event,” says Kirsty Niehaus, who heads up the Nando’s Art Initiative. “We’re excited to fire up Mzansi’s up-and-coming new art, design and music talent, and to nurture and showcase local creativity

The lead-up events for the festival  have been on the go since  September 2021 with a number of hybrid events.

The format of the main events will be similar, with limited tickets for in-person attendance and will be streamed on al Constitution Hill platforms . 500 tickets will be up for grabs for the physical attendance at the Music Festival on the 30th of October.

Event Highlights include:

Music: Sounds from Langa Mavuso, Sun El Musician, SIO, Ms Party, Fif_Laaa, MX Blouse, Thandonje, Easy Freek, Marcus Harvey, Kitchenmess, DJ Linda Van Skosana, DJ Mr X, Bonga Kwana, and the talented winners of the Nando’s music talent search, Nandocas Uhuru.

.Visual arts: An art showcase by the Nando’s Creative Exchange artists, mosaic workshops, panel discussions and art and design collaborations.

.Design: The Right Here, Right Now! exhibition will be on display, plus the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the people behind it, including Nando’s Design Programme Creative Director Tracy Lynch and the 2020 Nando’s Hot Young Designer winner and finalists.

Evening Programs – 28th and 29th October 18h00 – 22h00

.A jam packed line up of performing arts bringing new talent to the stage:

.Performing arts: the World of Words poetry performances , theatre with Creativity in Jozi! with Market Theatre Laboratory, and Gister Moaba by Vuyani Dance Theatre.

.Film: Film screenings and Q&A with Film and Vinyl Club include a series of locally made short films such as  Date Night and Beauty in The Dark.

Conference highlights include:

.28th October 2021 –.Creative Conference fired up by Nando’s: a full day of creative immersion of panel discussions, workshops and the Nando’s emerging talent showcase – Plus, music and design workshops,  panel discussions, and more!

. End the day with an exclusive tour of Constitution Hill’s Creative Hub , including Flames Studios, Truth to Power Lounge and Transwerke Creative Artist’s studios.

.29th October 2021 – Eco-System Rising! 2021: This summit builds on existing strategies which locate and share the intersection of the Creative and Cultural Industry and the economic development it presents. Local and international speakers, many from the continent, will present current Creative Eco-System case studies that contribute to growth, opportunities and livelihoods of creatives entrepreneurs and the value chains they engage. The Conference will also share the opportunities that the Creative Uprising Hub at Constitution Hill has already generated and the eco-system it aims to build; to be at the forefront of Creative Hubs in South Africa.

.30th October 2021 –For the third and final Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising Conference, Constitution Hill in association with IKS Cultural Consulting will present the draft Gauteng Cultural and Creative Industries Growth Strategy 2022- 2031.

.The Maker’s Market on 30 October will bring together a range of creatives who will have an opportunity to share their products and brands with the public. The market will include food stalls and  a family  area managed by cutting edge developmental play experts from Play Africa. A great day out for  friends and family! Safe and secure parking is available on site and those wanting to apply for a vendor’s stand can apply at https://bit.ly/3ow7TAf

.The Music Festival on 30th October  celebrates the musical talent of some of the country’s best new artists headlined by Langa Mavuso. The concert promises to deliver a jam packed line of DJ’s and performers in an outdoor event with safety as the top priority. Check out the line up here (weblink) Tickets are limited so grab yours now at webtickets  –  https://bit.ly/3oCUVk7 

.More information and tickets for all programs and events visit: www.bashauhuru.co.za

.More information and tickets for all programs and events visit: www.bashauhuru.co.za