BASHA UHURU…If you didn’t know, it translates to Freedom of the Youth, or to keep it simple – Generation Freedom.
The name combines two languages, Setswana and Swahili, to celebrate the spirit of young independence.
It is an ideal name for South Africa’s prominent youth and creative festival, now celebrating its 14th year of existence – Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival.
Taking place at Constitution Hill (Con Hill) in Johannesburg, the festival marks Youth Month and honours young freedom fighters of the 1976 Soweto Uprising.
From Wednesday, 24 June until Saturday, 27 June 2026, a creative uprising will take place at the iconic Con Hill. This year, as the Uprising commemorates 50 years, the festival will have an exciting new programme jam-packed with inspiration, networking opportunities, collaboration, and talent.
Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) Group CEO Sthembiso Dlamini spoke at the launch, held on Thursday, 18 June:
“Basha Uhuru is one of our signature properties. Constitution Hill is one of the most powerful symbols of South Africa’s journey. It reminds us where we come from and, most importantly, what we have overcome. Beyond it being a festival, Basha Uhuru is a creative uprising, a platform for young people to express themselves, build networks and get access to markets.”
She said Con Hill was one of Gauteng’s foremost platforms for the creative economy.
“The creative economy is a space where memory, culture, tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation come together. Too often, creativity is treated as something different from economic development, but as the GGDA we have located creativity at the centre of what we are trying to do, which is cementing our position as an economic hub.”
It is in its music, fashion, film, design, digital content, gaming, animation, tourism, events and enterprises that want to grow within this space that form part of the anchor to the economy of the Gauteng province, she said.
Adding to that, Belu Mabanjwa, Executive Head for Destination Marketing and Events at Johannesburg Tourism Company, sent her message of support.
“We are proud to stand and offer support for this festival, in particular, the Sounds of Freedom music concert. This is a platform that continues to amplify voices, celebrate resilience and shape cultural diversity and the identity of our city.”
She expressed that the spirit of 1976 lived on – not only in remembrance but in action, creativity and the bold self-expression of the youth.
“Music, art, fashion and performance are not just forms of entertainment; they are powerful tools of storytelling, identity building and social change. They allow us to reflect on our past, challenge our present and imagine our future.”
Vuyiswa Ramakgopa, MEC for Gauteng Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, reflected on the commemoration of the 1976 Uprising, saying that it was important not only to look at the past but also to deeply reflect on the journey the country has walked and is still to walk.
She said while the country faced many challenges, its people continued to generate joy and creativity and produce the kind of products that the world over clamours to consume.
“We are reminded of the freedom we all enjoy today. It is on that basis that we should recommit and remember what it is that we need to do to make this country work. Basha Uhuru has always been clear about its intention and its vision – to preserve the legacy of the youth while also creating a meaningful platform for a new generation of young people to express themselves.”
The festival is a culmination of multiple annual programmes – creative sector incubation initiatives and market access programmes facilitated through the public programmes of the Constitution Hill Creative Uprising Hub. The Creative Conference, which includes seminars, masterclasses, dialogues, and capacity building programmes, will be held between Wednesday (24 June) and Friday (26 June). The Sounds of Freedom Music Concert will be held on Saturday, 27 June, from 10 am, featuring a variety of artists.
This year, a mural will be created in honour of the ‘Cultural Mayor’ of Johannesburg, Maria McCloy, who publicised and lived the creativity of the province and the festival from its humble beginnings.
To find out more about the programmes, visit the website here:
