Commemorating 50 Years of Youth Activism & Creative Freedom
Curated Market
BASHA UHURU FREEDOM FESTIVAL
People’s Park, Constitution Hill
Part of the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival
27 June 2026
10h00 – 02h00
Curated Market Experience
Shop Local. Eat Well. Meet the Makers.
Experience: Local makers, food, fashion, design, lifestyle and creative entrepreneurship
The Basha Uhuru Curated Market brings together local makers, food vendors, fashion labels, designers, lifestyle brands and creative entrepreneurs for a festival market experience rooted in culture, community and creative enterprise.
Set within the energy of the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival, the market gives festivalgoers a chance to shop local, discover new products, meet the people behind the brands and experience South African creativity up close.
From fashion and jewellery to books, craft, homeware, beauty, food and lifestyle goods, the Curated Market is where audiences come to browse, eat, connect, pause and take the Basha Uhuru experience home with them.
The Curated Market runs as part of the Sounds of Freedom Music Festival experience.
A Market Built for the Culture
It is part of Basha Uhuru’s commitment to supporting South Africa’s creative economy by creating market access for small businesses, makers and emerging entrepreneurs.
Every stall adds to the festival’s wider story: youth creativity, self-expression, local enterprise and the power of culture to build opportunity.
Come for the music. Stay for the food, fashion, design and maker energy.
Supported by Johannesburg Tourism Company
Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival is proudly supported by the Johannesburg Tourism Company, celebrating Johannesburg as a city of culture, creativity and connection.
Through its support of the festival, Johannesburg Tourism Company helps spotlight the role of culture, heritage, tourism and creative enterprise in growing Johannesburg’s economy and showcasing the city as a leading destination for business, leisure and youth-led innovation.
As part of this commitment, the Curated Market includes a featured SMME showcase celebrating local creative businesses, makers and entrepreneurs.
Johannesburg Tourism Company SMME Showcase
Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) is proud to partner with the 2026 Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, supporting a vibrant cohort of local small businesses and creative entrepreneurs as part of the festival’s commitment to youth empowerment, economic inclusion and creative freedom. As one of Johannesburg’s flagship heritage and creative economy events, Basha Uhuru provides a platform where culture, creativity and entrepreneurship converge. Through its support of the festival, Joburg Tourism is helping local SMMEs access new markets, engage with consumers, build brand visibility and contribute to the city’s growing visitor economy.
Featured SMMEs
Description
What to Expect
The 2026 Curated Market brings together a vibrant mix of local creativity, festival food and independent business.
Expect fashion and accessories, including jewellery, bags, streetwear, eyewear and wearable design from South African brands.
Browse books, comics, prints and creative goods from local storytellers, artists and makers.
Discover craft, art and handmade products made with personality, skill and purpose.
Explore beauty, wellness and lifestyle products from emerging local businesses.
Find homeware and design-led goods, including blankets, decor and lifestyle pieces.
Refuel between performances with food, desserts and festival flavour, from smokehouse dishes and pizza to gourmet bites, sweet treats and more.
Why It Matters
The Curated Market supports local entrepreneurs by giving them direct access to festival audiences, cultural visibility and real market opportunities.
At Basha Uhuru, creativity is not only performed on stage. It is worn, made, sold, cooked, shared and carried home.
The market turns the festival into a living showcase of South African creative business — from the stall to the stage, from the maker to the audience.
Support from the foundation
The Creative Uprising Hub at Constitution Hill
Explore your creativity - Visit our local makers!
Explore the Market Zones
The Collab Space
A Curated Retail Lifestyle
A design-forward retail and lifestyle space for fashion, accessories, homeware, beauty and creative goods.
This is where festival style, local design and everyday creativity meet.
The Creative Market Space
A Platform for Creators
A platform for makers, artists, designers, illustrators, publishers and creative entrepreneurs.
Browse original work, meet the people behind the products and support local creative businesses directly.
The Food Park
A Chill Oasis for Food Lovers
A flavour-filled space to refuel, pause and connect.
From quick bites to sweet treats and festival favourites, the Food Park gives audiences a place to recharge between performances, activations and market browsing.
