The 14th edition of the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival is remembering the legacy of the youth who fought for their freedom to choose on June 16th 1976.
The Basha Uhuru festival is an opportunity to learn and be inspired, share skills and nurture talent, network, collaborate, create and monetize whilst driving important conversations affecting the creative sector. Basha Uhuru is a culmination of the year round Creative Uprising Program created by Constitution Hill which also has a Creative Hub on site with over 50 creative makers studios in House. These artists; designers and makers will be exhibiting at the festival and showing off their products for sale. It is an opportunity to buy local and support makers that should not be missed.
This year Constitution Hill has curated a line up for the Sounds of Freedom music festival taking place on Saturday, 27th of June at the People’s Park, Constitution Hill from 10am. And with something to offer both the young and young at heart, the fest is set to take you on a whirlwind of artists that will have concert goers going back in time.
From Nasty C and Zee Nxumalo to the iconic Skwatta Kamp, DJ Tira, Bucie and DJ Cleo. They will also be joined by Lia Butler; Osmic; Teedo Love; Atmos Blaq x Maline Aura, HitBossSA, Sipho Alphi Mkhwanaz, Umzulu Phaqa, Vuyo Viwe , Ndumiso Beloved and more on the main stage.
The Basha Uhuru Legacy Award this year is proudly being presented to the legendary hiphop outfit Skwatta Kamp. This award was created to honour and celebrate South African artists who have, over the years, championed creative freedom through their music and earned their place as iconic voices in our cultural landscape, with timeless contributions that continue to shape our heritage.
Previous recipients of this auspicious award include Mandla Spikiri, Thebe and Alaska and the 2025 recipients Boom Shaka.
Basha Uhuru will also be unveiling a very special mural honoring celebrated designer, acclaimed publicist and South African creative icon Maria McCloy. Maria held a very special relationship with Constitution Hill over the years. She was integral in championing the publicity of the Basha Uhuru Festival and performed for the first time on the Basha stage last year! The mural , designed by local accomplished artist and creative maker Lazi Mathebula, who is well recognised for his unique style both in SA and globally. This mural will sit next to that of our music legend Bra Hugh Masekela on the public facing mural wall along Joubert Street at Constitution Hill.
The Curated Makers Market is a vibrant space showcasing local creators and their unique products, from urban fashion and agro-processing to jewellery, handmade crafts, healing goods, and more. Enjoy some of Joburg’s favourite food stalls ready to satisfy every craving, along with exciting brand activations, creative pop-ups, and inspiring exhibitions. You can even have your portrait drawn live by Rasta the Artist!
The Creative Conference kicks off on June 24th with the Youth Summit on the Hill, a flagship two-day gathering convening hosted by WeThePeopleSA in partnership with Constitution Hill Dev Company and Seth Mazibuko Foundation as part of the Basha Uhuru Festival. Bringing powerful speakers such as Seth Mazibuko – Soweto Uprising leader and SMF Founder; Constitutional Court Judge: Justice Kollapen; Justice Tembeka Ngcukaitobi (Acting Con Court Judge); Tshepo Madlingozi – Commissioner – SAHRC; Kamo Malikane – School learner: Junior Mayor – City of Jhb; The GBV Respond Fund; Section 27 and multiple civil society organizations.
The summit will bring together over 100 young leaders, activists, students, learners and educators. Positioned immediately after June 16 commemorations, the summit deliberately moves beyond remembrance into reflection, constitutional literacy, civic participation, and action, connecting the legacy of the 1976 generation to the responsibilities facing young people in contemporary South Africa.
