Youngsters commemorate June 16 with a vibrant ‘Soweto Day’ event
In commemoration of Youth Day, young people of Soweto were treated to an exhilarating ‘Soweto Day’ event, brimming with electrifying live performances from local DJs, artists, dancers, poets, and more.
The inaugural annual event, a collaboration between Soweto Theatre and JoziFM, attracted a large number of young attendees from Soweto and its surrounding areas at the Soweto Theatre in Jabulani. The celebration paid tribute to the young lives lost during the historic Soweto Uprising on 16 June 1976.
Attendees enjoyed captivating live performances from artists such as DJ Andy G, DJ Terra Velocity, Sintu Soul, Andile, Motion Movement, Mashudu, Megamix, and many others. The event aimed to reflect on the past while championing the youth through a combination of education, information, and entertainment.
Youth-owned businesses, including Yenza Africa, Blaq Leaf, InzintoSoweto, Going Places, and Her Majesty, were given a platform to exhibit their products, all while embodying the spirit of the Soweto Uprising. Bongi Nkosi, JoziFM Station Manager, said the initiative provided an avenue for young entrepreneurs to showcase their services and products, thereby creating new markets and addressing financial challenges faced by today’s generation.
Matodzi Mashau, PR Officer at Soweto Theatre, emphasised the vital role young people play in communities and commended the impactful nature of this well-conceived initiative.
“Initiatives like the ‘Soweto Day’ speak to creating opportunities, harnessing talents and showcasing rare skills which are of international standards from in and around Soweto,” Mashau added. She said the Soweto Theatre, in partnership with JoziFM, remains committed to reminding Soweto’s youth of their limitless potential and providing them with resources to advance in life.
“The Soweto Theatre, a world-class facility, extends an open invitation for future collaborations to assist you in curating offerings that will shape the youth into formidable forces in their respective fields,” Mashau said. Xoli Motha, founder of Blaq Leaf and King Oniel, brand manager at Yenza Africa, expressed their excitement at participating in the Soweto Day event. They believe that this opportunity will mark the beginning of immense growth for their businesses as they connect with potential customers.
“Support of this nature is much needed to empower the youth,” said Motha, adding that that constant guidance and backing are essential in shaping future leaders.
