|
Even more people are expected at this year's Soweto Festival – about 50 000 attended last year – say organisers.
This year's Soweto Festival, on from 21 September, takes place at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown
MUSIC, fashion, art and food are on the cards for the Soweto Festival, from Friday, 21 to Sunday, 24 September at Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, in Kliptown.
Freedom Square, as it is known, will be buzzing during the annual festival.
"We had about 50 000 people attending the festival last year and this year is going to be even bigger," said Jane Warburton, the spokesperson for the organisers, Adele Luke Promotions. "We want more people - every year the festival gets get bigger and we are now in our third year and can only expect a big turn out."
Art
More than 200 crafters from various Soweto art groups are expected to display a wide range of beadwork, baskets, embroidery, carvings, copper art and many more items that will reflect Soweto's unique arts and crafts tradition.
According to the organisers, many of the crafts depict the folklore and heritage of Kliptown, Freedom Square and Pimville.
Emerging fashion designers will showcase their collections alongside more established black designers. However, the organisers say that the initiative is not only about fashion, but also about connecting with African heritage.
The shows will highlight the creativity associated with design and imagination. "The whole fashion experience reignites our passion for celebrating South Africa's vibrant creativity," Warburton said.
Live entertainment
Over on the main stage there will be a feast of music, with performers combining Afro-pop with kwaito, gospel with jazz, and maskandi with hip-hop. The line-up, however, will be announced closer to the date.
Local designers will showcase their collections
A fundamental aspect of the Soweto Festival is the Standard Bank Careers Village, which targets matric learners and young adults eager for information about employment, business, careers, education and training. The objective of the careers village is to help young people to make informed decisions about their futures.
The village will feature successful South African entrepreneurs, who will be on hand to share their success stories.
Exhibitions
More than 200 exhibitors are expected, with furniture, health and beauty, crafts, cars, property, finance, business services, hi-tech appliances and cellular services on display. The organisers say that this commercial aspect of the show is a major draw-card.
Space will be set aside for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) to showcase their products and services to the growing consumer market in Soweto as well as to the growing number of black-owned corporate businesses.
The Johannesburg Tourism Company, Cradle of Humankind, Dinokeng, Indian Tourism and tourism offices from several Southern African Developing Community countries will be at the festival.
For the kids
Children will not left out - Toys R Us, the toy retailer - will set up a special secure area for kids to play safely. Parents will be able to drop off their little ones while they visit the different stands, knowing their children are safe and sound.
Finalists from last year's Miss Five Roses competition
Kliptown was established in 1903 and is the oldest suburb in Soweto, arguably the most well-known township in the world. In 1955, thousands of people from various anti-apartheid organisations converged on Freedom Square to agree on a draft Freedom Charter.
Indigenous thorn trees have been planted around the square to represent the queues of people who waited to cast their first votes in 1994.
Related stories:
|
