The Soweto International Jazz Festival set to dazzle!

May 24, 2018

The Soweto International Jazz Festival is set to make our hips swing, hands clap and feet tap from the 14th to the 17th of June 2018 for a global celebration of Soweto. A first of its kind in the historical city of the South Western Township, it will take place at the state-of-the-art Soweto Theatre festival Group.

Image source: Supplied

The brainchild of the International Arts Solution and the Soweto Theatre, SIJF will bring us some of our favourite international Grammy Award-winning stars from the yesteryears such as:

Third World
Bob James
Deborah Cox
Spyro Gyra
Neville Brothers

Not forgetting South African favourites:

Ernie Smith
Zama Jobe

The four-day celebration will be a tribute to the late Hugh Masekela– a distinguished musician and noncompliant political voice- and father of nations Tata Nelson Rolihlahla “Madiba” Mandela for what would have been his 100th birthday celebration on the on the 18th of July.
Created with collaboration at heart, the Soweto International Jazz Festival will see our local musicians sharing stages with international acts. The likes of first-ever-performer in South Africa Charlie Wilson will be seen alongside gospel star Khaya Mthethwa in a performance that is bound to be both historical and awe-inspiring. “We want to foster creative and business collaborations,” stresses Nolan Baynes from the International Arts Solution, “We also wanted to make sure that we create a festival that positively impacts the economy here.”
Designed to be an economic engine for the city that is Soweto, the festival- in addition to music- will bring you:

Master classes
Panels
Fun fitness
Poetry session
A vibrant awareness of the township
Aesthetically pleasing art to both the mind and soul
Delectable dishes for your taste buds
Rich history
Luxury accommodation
Escapades and explorations

The Soweto International Jazz Festival is for the whole family as diversity will be celebrated with multifaceted genres. Expect jazz, gospel, R&B, reggae, hip-hop and so much more.

Jazz artist Ernie Smith Image source: Supplied

Day 1 – Celebration Of Our Future

The Celebration of our Future installment of the festival will kick-off the festivities with a firm commitment to the empowerment of young people in Soweto. In the spirit of remarkable, young, revolutionaries like Hector Pieterson, the day is designed to fully empower and engage the aspiring musicians and entrepreneurs of Soweto. The day’s event will do more than entertain, it will educate and inspire with a free symposium dedicated to the business of music and entertainment.
Grammy Award-Winning songwriter and producer, Rico Love, will launch an educational program designed to engage young people who aspire to be a part of the music industry.
“I Love Music Africa” workshops will take place during the day and the evening music celebration will feature an amazing line-up of artists, DJs, Dancers and Social media influencers. Concert performers include:

Nasty-C
Raheem Devaughn
Major Leagues
DJ Rob Dinero Feat. Kreesha

Day 2 – Power of Women

The second day of the festival will be dedicated to the empowerment of women. It will boast workshops in the morning on themes such as:

Fearless Women
Health
Strength and Wellness
Mining Your Own Business

These workshops will enable women to present and share ideas on driving personal & business success. Grammy Award-winning artist Deborah Cox and SABC Executive Iris Cupido will be among the panelists.
The evening’s main stage will feature:

Africa Umoja
Sho Madjozi
Lady Zamar
Deborah Cox
Dumpstafunk
The Soweto Stage will host performances by:
Jeremiah Fyah Isis
Leanne Dlamini
Irving Mayfield
Zamajobe
Bob Jones

Day 3 – International Night

The international day will spotlight:

South Africa
Ghana
Nigeria
US
Canada
Jamaica
United Kingdom

Soweto’s esteemed journalists will host an informative day with VIP-artist interview panels, acoustic performances, and media broadcasts.
We will see performances from:

Marion Meadows
Neville Brothers
Charlie Wilson
Mutabuka
Spyro Gyro
Third World

Day 4 – Inspiration

Day Four of the festival will feature an amazing line up of Jazz and Gospel acts to cement the incredible celebration of music culture. We will continue to focus on cultural exchange programs allowing fans to gain access to the hearts and minds of some the most celebrated artists.
The evening concert will have performances by, to name a few:

Mi Casa
Cyril Neville
Irving Mayfield
Ernie Smith

Singer Zama Jobe on stage Image source: Supplied

“The festival is designed to help create connectivity among people of the African diaspora and celebrate the indomitable spirit of Soweto and its people,” says Ernest Kelly, Managing Partner of IAS Agency and Executive Producer of the festival.
Tickets are available for purchase online from Soweto Theatre or from any participating Pick ‘n Pay store from Webtickets. Tickets may also be purchased directly from Joburg Theatre, and Roodepoort Theatre onsite box offices.
Be on the lookout for a new artist competition where 13 artists will be chosen via social media where ten will win coaching in a workshop from some of the artists (both local and international). Three of the winners will have a chance to perform at the festival, with only one being chosen to record with the aid of an all-star team. The festival will also be working with the Soweto Theater on an internship program where young people will learn the ropes of producing festivals and events.
AND THAT’S NOT ALL! SIJF will furthermore be collaborating with Magents for an exclusive fashion piece that will only be available for the duration of the festival. All of this will be happening while Hot 97 (yes the big time New York based hip-hop radio station) records segments for its new show on dedicated to first generations.

General Tickets:

1 day pass – R450
2 day pass – R750 (valid for consecutive days only)
3 day pass – R850 (valid for consecutive days only)
4 day pass – R950

Limited Offering/Specials: special terms apply

Student Specials – R150
Residential Specials – R150

VIP Tickets:

1 day – R1,000
2 day – R1,800 (valid for consecutive days only)
3 day – R2,200 (valid for consecutive days only)
4 day – R2,800

L-R: ThaboRangwaga, CEO and founder of Proudly Sowetan Holdings; Nonnie Kubeka, Senior Manager of Gauteng Convention & Events Bureau at Gauteng Tourism; Nomsa Mazwai, General Manager of Soweto Theatre; Nolan Baynes, International Arts Solution Event Organizer; Ernie Smith, Jazz musician. Image source: Supplied

For additional information on tickets and travel packages, please visit Soweto International Jazz Festival.