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Music Festival

CELEBRATING THE LEGACY OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Press Release

CONSTITUTION HILL

BASHA UHURU FREEDOM FESTIVAL

25 – 28 JUNE 2025
Johannesburg’s most anticipated creative festival, Constitution Hill’s Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival is back! This year the festival does a double take with exciting new program partners for the commemoration of Youth Month at The Creative Conference.

In 2025 we’re expanding! The Sounds of Freedom Music Festival is coming to you in time for summer vibes on the 13th of September 2025.

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.

The theme of the 2025 edition theme is “Celebrating The Legacy Of Creative Expression” The festival will highlight the role of youth and their participation in creative and social economies and societies.

For more information, PRESS AND PR ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: Maria Mccloy – mccloypr@gmail.com / 082 340 0262

Creative Conference

Workshops, talks, and collaborative sessions built to empower, educate, and activate South Africa’s rising creatives.

Amapiano Africa Summit

A 3-day celebration of the sound, the scene, and the culture with live performances, panels, and a talent showcase that hits different.

Art Exhibition

Multi-disciplinary exhibitions exploring African identity, blackness, freedom and artistic agency — with full details dropping soon.

Visions of Freedom Film Festival

A showcase of emerging filmmakers using cinematic language to explore identity, resistance, and radical imagination.

Curated Market

Lifestyle, food, fashion, and vibes — a one-stop celebration of South African makers, thinkers, and tastemakers.

Sounds of Freedom Music Festival (Sept 2025)

Coming September 2025.

Our iconic music event returns this spring. Stay tuned for a separate date with its own lineup, energy, and late-night magic.

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

Basha Uhuru was founded in 2012 to immortalise the memory of the youth who fought for their right to choose in the Soweto 1976 Uprising, affording youth of today the freedom to explore their creativity and freedom of expression.

This flagship creative arts festival was established to provide a platform that would facilitate the broad spectrum of artistic expression for young emerging professionals and entrepreneurs in the creative industry.

“The Basha Uhuru Freedom 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. As Conhill’s flagship Youth Month Event, the festival is the culmination of the Creative Uprising always-on programme. Conhill remains focused on development, collaboration and upskilling creatives and continues to support growing the creative economy in Gauteng.” Constitution Hill Acting CEO: Leah Mabusela
This year’s Films of Freedom Film Festival curated by Mmbatho & Refilwe Montsho of Monday Pictures will bring seven films to the screening event hosted on the evening of Friday the 27th of June at the Iconic Women’s Zjail. This year Monday pictures showcases 4 student films in competition, supported by three professional films that speak to student politics.

It’s a youth movement synonymous with a creative, open-minded, and often non-conforming and unconventional community, placing the institution at the epicentre of urban culture inspired by music, art and urban culture.

The festival’s ethos is dedicated to supporting the creative economy with a particular focus on youth development in the creative sector, as such Constitution Hill is thrilled to announce the inclusion of the 3rd edition of the Amapiano Africa Summit as part of the program! The Amapiano summit is on a thrilling quest to nurture and educate the next generation of aspiring musicians who will carry this electrifying genre to every corner of the world. Hosting a two day conference and a live showcase on the 28th of June at Constitution Hill, the focus on this now global genre of music adds new areas of creativity to Basha Uhuru 2025! All events are free to attend! Visit amapianosummit.co.za for more information

Art Exhibition

25 June 2025

76/25 Print Art Exhibition

The Arts Company Soweto (TACS) proudly announces its third annual 76/25 Print Art Exhibition in collaboration with City of Johannesburg’s Art, Culture, and Heritage Department. Hosted at the historic Women’s Jail, Constitution Hill, on 16 June 2025. This year’s exhibition will showcase 16 young visual artists from diverse backgrounds, presenting limited-edition prints that explore the challenges and aspirations of South Africa’s youth while reimagining the next three decades.

AFRI-MASTERCLASS

26 June 2025

AfriMasterclass Full Day Conference

Afri-MasterClass is a Pan-African learning and empowerment platform that has curated a full day event.
They are bringing together experts such as Shakes Mashaba (Football legend and former Bafana Bafana Coach) ; Lebogang Maile (MEC Finance & Economic Development Gauteng); Matome Madibana (MICT SETA CEO); Eustace Mashimbye (Proudly SA CEO) Victor Vele (DG Tourism) and Nano Mothiba (Gauteng Film Commission GM) to name a few. The day will address multiple elements on the creative sector; its development and the tools available to pursue success.

Topics include Investment in the Importance of Investing In The Creative Sector Economy; The Role Of Sports In Our Society; Role Of The SETA’s & Opportunities For The Youth; How Culture, Creativity, and Events Drive Sustainable Growth via Tourism; The economic importance of supporting local talent and productions and more.

POETRY WORKSHOP

26 June 2025

SYMBOLS & MYTHOLOGY: A POWERFUL TOOL IN THE ARTIST’S ARSENAL

Presented by New Acropolis and UNESCO, this vibrant, interactive workshop designed especially for young artists who want to go beyond aesthetics and explore the why behind their art. Guided by the practical philosophy of New Acropolis, this session will explore how symbols, mythology, and storytelling have long empowered artists to express truth, identity, and the inner world.

Amapiano Summit

26 & 28 June 2025

The Amapiano Africa Summit Conference

For it’s third edition the Summit brings hard hitting topics to the table with panels on The Business of Amapiano by 2030; 2030 Vision: A Unified African Music Industry; Preserving the Amapiano Legacy; Creating Global Pathways for Amapiano Artists; The Vinyl Revival and Its Future in the Digital Age; Health, wellness and gender inclusivity in the Amapiano industry and more.

The Creative Sector Youth Expo

27 & 28 June 2025

Giving platform to young minds

Another new addition to the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival:

The expo will feature partners in: Gaming Youth Organisations; Technology; Illustration; Animation and Health and Wellness

THE BUSINESS OF FASHION

27 June 2025

The Business of Fashion

Curated by fashion icon and entrepreneur Sophie Ndaba, this full day workshop includes
a high-impact discussion with experienced fashion entrepreneurs and business professionals sharing insights.

Attendees join founders of the brands Floyd Avenue Apparel; Sun Goddess; Otiz Seflo; Tallit Wear and MUNKUS. They will be sharing first hand experiences and guidance on the following – Monetizing your creativity; Building a fashion brand; Retail and eCommerce opportunities; Sustainability in fashion and Lessons from the field. The Advisory panel of experts talk unpack Business registration and compliance; Access to funding & retail channels; Manufacturing and supply chain; Branding and customer acquisition and Building & marketing your brand.

Join experts from Santam; Proudly SA; Access Bank is the session on Insuring your Business; Financial advice; Business Funding; Brand Positioning and Building a stand out brand.

The Creative Hemp and Cannabis Workshop

27 June 2025

The Creative Hemp and Cannabis Workshop

REM Initiative presents this workshop to address multiple grey areas and provide clarity on the Hemp and Cannabis industry in South Africa. The panel brings together trend setting young entrepreneurs who have established their presence in the retail sector with multiple products. The discussion will Unpack the Constitutional Court ruling on hemp & cannabis and its implications; educate participants on the cannabis value chain from seed to sale.

It will include entrepreneurs and black-owned cannabis brands as well as explore the role of cannabis in creativity, music, and wellness. Hear from Pops Soda; Green Route; Cheeba Africa; PotCast; The High Private Club and Mahoua Collection.

Makers Market x The Collab Space

28 June 2025

The Curated Makers Market & Live Entertainment

The Collab Space is a curated experience that bridges the gap between tradition and modern trends. The store will proudly showcase an extensive range of products, from fashion and accessories and home decor each carefully selected to represent the kaleidoscope of creativity.
The makers market celebrates the intersection of culture and modern creativity. The curated experience offers a diverse range of handmade lifestyle products and a unique fusion of traditional and contemporary trends – with a focus on supporting local artisans and sustainable practices.

The Visions of Freedom Film Festival

28 June 2025

A New Generation. A New Language of Freedom.

The Visions of Freedom Film Festival returns in 2025 with a bold new focus: South African student filmmakers.

Raw, real, and radically creative. This special edition is a celebration of emerging voices using cinema to reflect, resist, and reimagine.

Inspired by the fearless spirit of the youth of ’76, the festival creates a space for students and new graduates to share the stories they’ve fought to tell — stories born from late nights, low budgets, and limitless ambition.

Sounds of Freedom Music Festival

No under 18s. Tickets

13 September 2025

The Annual Sounds of Freedom Music Festival

The Annual Sounds of Freedom Music Festival is bringing all the Basha vibes to get your creativity flowing for the summer season. Join us on the 13th of September 2025 for the 13th edition of this iconic music event!

As always Basha Uhuru is committed to providing platforms for up-and-coming artists and new talent, and bringing you local mega stars. The music festival opens at 10h00, and festival goers can enjoy a full day at the Curated Market with live music and performances; activations; food stalls and bars. Pre-sale on now.

This year’s line-up will include PABI COOPER | MTHANDENI | KID FONQUE | TOSS | QUEDJ | JAH SEED & THE ADMIRAL | DJ CINDO Further artists to follow. Party goers can also look forward to a guest performance from this year’s Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award winner – none other than BOOM SHAKA! Grab your early bird tickets now at Webtickets!
Party goers can also look forward to a guest performance from this year’s Basha Uhuru Music Legacy Award winner – Alaska.

THE CREATIVE UPRISING

Basha Uhuru festivals play different roles:
It is the coming together of Con Hill’s Creative Uprising Hub to exhibit; profile and support those in the creative sector. It provides a point of focus and creative celebration for Gauteng’s creative community.

The Creative Uprising is a youth movement synonymous with a creative, open-minded, and often non-conforming and unconventional community, placing the institution at the epicentre of urban culture inspired by music, art and urban culture.

The Creative Uprising, an ongoing programme designed to support creatives was launched in 2020.
Creatives, makers, artisans, craftspeople, illustrators; entertainers; artists and digital designers were issued a call to action to join the movement and become members of the program.

Membership provides access; to studio spaces; business support; education; market access; networking and various platforms for expression.

Elements of the program such as seminars; masterclasses; dialogues, and capacity building programmes take place throughout the year.

The festival targets creative enrichment and development, rather than commercial outcomes. We leverage funds for the maximum possible impact rather than profit.