September 22, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
PREPARE for equal doses of glitz, glamour and career guidance as local artists and sports icons pump up the entertainment at this year's Absa Soweto Festival.
The festival, at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, is on from Friday 22 to Monday 25 September, and will feature a variety of activities ranging from performances by talented musicians to a career village set up by IBM, from exhibitions by local crafters to tournaments arranged by boxing champion Baby Jake Matlala.
Entertain covers the range from hip hop and kwaito to gospel and jazz, with a little maskhandi thrown in.
Hip hop will be represented by Tuks, Zuluboy and Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), while Arthur and Pitch Black Afro will take the kwaito route. Gospel singers Deborah Fraser and Solly Moholo are also on the bill, along with The Maskhandi Legends. Also performing are Avante and Somizi.
Firm crowd favourite Mandoza will also appear.
"We've tried to bring the best from all South African musical genres to the Absa Soweto Festival and there is something for everyone in the line-up," said festival co-ordinator Mandla Baloyi.
"We are expecting a massive turnout every day – especially on Heritage Day [Sunday, 24 September]," he added.
The annual festival is sponsored by Absa, the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng government, Five Roses and IBM.
Exhibitions
Dating back to 1983, the festival began as the Soweto Homemakers Fair and was originally held in White City, Jabavu.
The IBM Careers Village, which boasts an exhibition area, seminar area and an interactive psychometric testing area, is aimed to help those between the ages of 15 to 18 make informed decisions about their future careers.
Exhibitors included prospective employers, who will market their businesses to the youth with ‘a day in the life' overviews of specific professions.
Seminars will be held on what it takes to pursue specific careers. Talks at these seminars will be presented by experienced and inspirational speakers such as singer and actor Abigail Khubeka, Siki Mgabadeli from SAFM's economics desk, poet Lebo Mashile, head of news at Kaya FM Portia Kubue, Black Like Me CEO Herman Mashaba and Sechaba of Loxion Kulca.
Psychometric tests will enable young people to explore their aptitudes and give them an insight into the careers best suited to their personalities and capabilities.
Also on the cards is an exhibition by various government departments, SMMEs showcasing their products and services and the Miss Five Roses beauty pageant.
The festival will also give more than 200 crafters a platform to showcase art works such as sculptures, ceramics, paintings and photographs.
According to a press release, the festival is not only a dynamic opportunity to interact with the Soweto community but also a celebration of Soweto's contribution to South African culture and a tribute to the indomitable spirit of its people.
Crafts
Over 100 exhibitors will display goods and services ranging from furniture, health and beauty, gardening, property, finance, business services, FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products, hi-tech appliances and cellular services.
The festival will also host the Five Roses Tea Garden and a shebeen offering drinks and live music, South African cuisine and modern and cultural dance.
Local designers such as Loxion Kulca, Vino, Ephymol, Soulchael, Angenoir, Aubrey Ramatla and Thula Sindi will also showcase their talent.
The festival runs from 10am to 8pm daily and tickets are R15 for adults and R5 for pensioners and children under 12 years
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