For the last eight years, every June, the Constitution Hill’s Bashu Uhuru Freedom Festival has showcased, celebrated and nurtured artistic talent. But this year the festival, like so many other events, fell victim to the harsh regulations of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Festival organisers were forced to rethink the event and with creative innovation, at their fingertips and a mind to the future, they have evolved, become more tech-savvy and created a user experience that resonates with the creative community.
Importantly, the Basha Uhuru Creative Uprising ensures that support for the sector is not just event-driven. Hosted both live with limited numbers onsite and online The Creative Uprising Festival aims to go beyond a once-off yearly event and become an ‘always on’ programme. Elements of the programme such as seminars; masterclasses; dialogues; and the music festival will be free to view on both the Basha Uhuru Freedom Fest and Constitution Hill social media platforms.
The outdoor Creative Uprising Film screenings, due to licensing, will only be for those who redeem tickets for the physical event and will take place on 17,18,19 and 20 November from 7pm and will feature new South African films; Moffie, Knuckle City, Loving Thokaza and African Cypher. The evenings will kick off at 4pm with live DJ sets from Maple the DJ, FIF_Laaa, Basmnt, Kitchen Mess, Ms Elisa the Selector, Van Skosana, Olwee, JLM, Nouveaux, Nikkinnewlands, Tagz and Jussbanks. The Uprising Picnic on Saturday, 21 November, begins at noon and hosts both DJs and live music sets from 251 Afrika, Ncamisa & The Band, Abafazi, Bylwantsa, Marcus Harvey, MX Blouse, Sio, Easy Feak, ODC, Rams and Charles Gene Suite.
Per Covid-19 regulations, all events are limited in audience numbers and many will also be presented online.
A new platform, the Constitution Hill Creative Collab, features an ongoing programme designed to support designer-makers during the festival kicks off at the festival. Creatives, makers, artisans, craftspeople, illustrators and digital designers were invited to submit existing or new work to be part of the Constitution Hill onsite and online market: The Movement Store. During the Creative Uprising Festival, these successful applicants will attend multiple workshops, masterclasses and mentorship sessions on the Creative Collab programme. Through our partnership with the Loeries they will also have access to the online Creative Week which runs in tandem with the festival.
Panellists include phenomenal young designers - Sifiso Shange; Siyanda Mble and Glorinah Mabasa - the creative minds who are behind the design of the Speak Truth to Power venue, which is soon to open on the site. They will be in conversation with design guru Tracy-Lee Lynch and Malibongwe Tyilo, former fashion buyer and multimedia journalist. Maureen Waldek, chief executive buyer for Tourvest Retail Destination, and Rosemary Cooke, from Craft Design Institute, are also sharing their advice and experiences with the audience.
The Conhill Creative Network will also be launched. The network is a platform upon which the creative community can thrive. Through this network, the festival aims to celebrate the individuality of creatives whilst connecting them as part of a larger network, movement and community on Constitution Hill.
“The Conhill Creative Network is meant for creatives to support creatives and we want it to be informed and directed by our creative community,” said Dawn Robertson, CEO of Constitution Hill. “It will offer members access to the resources, knowledge and industry connectivity to support creatives to expand not just business ideas, but also creative ones. It includes monthly best practices talks and discussions, professional development resources, webinars and workshops, both virtual and live.”
The Movement Store will launch in 2021 with a range of fresh, relevant and unique products including jewellery, natural beauty products, bespoke accessories and apparel, housewares, books, affordable art that speak to the Constitution Hill brand.
To book tickets and programme information, go to www.creativeuprising.co.za
