Basha Uhuru to kick off fest with talks, films, art, poetry and music
JOBURG – The eight edition of Basha Uhuru is underway as it kicks off with a full art, film, poetry and music programme.
Now in its eight year, the 2019 edition of one of the foremost urban, creative youth festivals in South Africa, Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival, does not only showcase art, design, film, poetry and music, but also provides inspirational workshops and entrepreneurial support programmes for young creatives.
The exciting programme kicks off on 27 June, with art and talks and carries on with a film and poetry programme until Saturday’s music finale. The Basha Bacha Creative Summit takes place on 27 and 28 June at The Women’s Jail and is a two-day take on design thinking and activism, inspirational workshops, enterprise support, networking, talks, pitching and other opportunities with creative innovators, business leaders, technologists and entrepreneurs.
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In the evening on 27 and 28 June at The Idea Bank at The Women’s Jail, Meet The Speakers will feature talks from major industry luminaries from 5pm to 5.30pm. On Thursday 27th: Artist Thenjiwe Nkosi, creative business finance strategist Bradley Williams, photographers Andile Buka and Kgomotso Neto, designer Papama Mtwisha and Luze Kloppers will speak on the 27th while on the 28th speakers include artists Nelson Makamo and Lady Skollie, filmmakers Tebogo Malope, Zandi Tisani and Mmabatho Montsho as well as Nandi Dlepu, the creator of the Feel Good and Women In Bloom events.
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The fine art programme, Expressions of Freedom, opens to the public on 27 June with two exhibitions that will close on 31 July. The Spier Arts Trust in Partnership with Constitution Hill will showcase an exhibition titled I See U, Imagining a Space for Freedom. This exhibition brings together a selection of artworks from the Spier Arts Trust collection, which spans over 35 years and provides an insight both into our country’s past and our present – artists on show at The Women’s Jail include Athi Patra Ruga, David Koloane and Gerard Sekoto among others.
The best rhymes will be on show when talented poets gather at Words Of Freedom at The Women’s Jail on the 28 May at 6 pm. The line-up will show this growth by showcasing a diverse array of talent in the poetry world today: Makhafula Vilakazi; Dr Sarah Godsell; Mutle Mothibe ; Nomashenge Dlamini ; Xabiso Vili; Busisiwe Mahlangu; Sibulelo Manamatela; Belita Andre; Masai Sepuru; Dillan Park; Prince Shapiro and Vus’umuzi Phakathi will perform.
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The Visions Of Freedom at Constitution Hill’s Women’s Jail is slated for 27 and 28 June as five new South African films will be shown. Screenings at 6pm will be followed by discussions with actors and directors. Films include Norman Maake’s Love Lives Here. Jahmil X T Qubeka’s apartheid era Western, Sew the Winter to my Skin and An Act of Defiance about anti-apartheid lawyer Bram Fischer will be watched too. The Khanyi Mbau and Aubrey Pooe vehicle Red Room will screen, as well as Into Infinity that stars Thishiwe Ziqubu, Nandi Nyembe and Treasure Tshabalala.
The festival ends on Saturday, 29 June with a concert starting that will feature Ricky Rik, Msaki, Langa Mavuso, Khuli Chana, Brother Moves On, Urban Village, African Rhythm Productions, Thebe, Ikati Esangweni, Mthuda and Njelik, Dj Kent, DJ Dimples, Coppashot and Bobotical, DJ Zero, Rosie Parade, Deniece Mars, Sistamatic, P Kuttah, Scott The Girl, Tha Muzik, Ace of Spades and DBN Gogo. Constituiton Square will be filled with eclectic sounds and smash hits and the bustle of the Makers Market which opens at 10am. The Makers’ Market will bring together the finest local food, drink, art and craft producers in the area, ensuring goods that are unique, original and designed to inspire. Tickets are R75 at the gate and R50 on www.bashauhuru.co.za
