In the days of early apartheid rule half a century ago, on 26 June 1955, over 3 000 representatives of resistance organisations made their way through police cordons to gather on a dusty square in Kliptown, Soweto, 40km south of Johannesburg.
This was the Congress of the People, who met to draw up the Freedom Charter, an alternative vision to the repressive policies of the apartheid state.
At the time, Nelson Mandela had to stay concealed to avoid the police. On the second day, the authorities broke up the gathering, but not before the charter was adopted as a guide document. It remains the cornerstone of African National Congress (ANC) policy to this day, and is seen by many as the foundation of South Africa’s 1996 Constitution.
That dusty field has now been declared a national heritage site, and on 26 June 2005 President Thabo Mbeki lit a flame of freedom in Kliptown to mark the opening of the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication – and 50 years of the Freedom Charter.
The Flyover Show 31st March 2012:
Hip-Hop artist and award winning alto-saxophonist, Soweto Kinch, will host a groundbreaking show featuring a diverse and brilliant line-up in the historic Freedom Square on 31st March 2012. Among the artists that have confirmed their appearance at the Flyover Show are Tumi from Tumi and the Volume, Soweto Kinch and band, Feya Faku, ESKA, Jonzi D, Bokani Dyer, DJ Raiko and the Kliptown Youth Program Gumboot Dancers.
Kinch, one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the jazz and hip-hop scenes, will bring his iconic festival from the streets of Birmingham to the streets of the township he shares his name with – Soweto. The Flyover Show is Kinch’s project and has been a day-long, music and arts festival that has taken place for five years in its unusual setting beneath a flyover in Birmingham, England.
The Birmingham festival has featured artists as diverse as Goldie, Akala and Omar and continues to build on its reputation, bringing world class entertainment to an often forgotten corner of Birmingham.
This year the show will not only take place in Birmingham, but in the historic Freedom Square – also known as the Walter Sisulu Square of dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.
“Freedom Square is in many ways the most natural place to extend the concept of The Flyover Show. I have both a deep artistic and personal connection to Johannesburg and I’m really excited about expanding this concept there,” said Kinch, who is also an award winning alto-saxophonist.
“As an area with rich historic and often unappreciated traditions it has much similarity with the areas in Birmingham where the show originated,” he added.
What People are Saying:
Entertainmentafrica.mobi : “UK hip-hop and jazz guru Soweto Kinch will host a groundbreaking show featuring a diverse and brilliant line-up in Freedom Square on 31 March 2012 between 10am and 6pm.”
Artslink.co.za : “A bit of Birmingham history is set to make its way to Joburg later this month, as the Flyover Show takes over the historic Walter Sisulu Square of dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.”
Allevents.in : “The Flyover show is all about reclaiming space and transforming it into an arena of creative expression.”
Hair Styles Pictures – Joburg : “The Flyover Show 31st March 2012: Freedom Square, Johannesburg, South Africa 10am to 6pm”
WilliamEllis.com : “The Photo of the Month for March features one of the new stars of British jazz, saxophonist, rapper, producer and composer Soweto Kinch”
Amakipkip : “Event: The Fly Over Show 31st March 2012”
Soweto Hotel & Conference centre : “Among the artists that have confirmed their appearance at the Flyover Show are Tumi from Tumi and the Volume, Soweto Kinch and band, Feya Faku, ESKA, Jonzi D, Bokani Dyer, DJ Raiko and the Kliptown Youth Program Gumboot Dancers.”
OziaAfrica.com : “This year the show will not only take place in Birmingham, but in the historic Freedom Square – also known as the Walter Sisulu Square of dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.”
SowetoLive.com : “The award winning saxophonist says “Freedom Square is in many ways the most natural place to extend the concept of the Flyover Show abroad.””
Mediaupdate.co.za : “UK hip-hop and jazz figure Soweto Kinch will host a show featuring a diverse line-up in Freedom Square on 31 March between 10:00 and 18:00. Among the artists that have confirmed their appearance at the Flyover Show are Tumi (from Tumi and the Volume), Soweto Kinch and band, Feya Faku, ESKA, Jonzi D, Bokani Dyer, DJ Raiko and the Kliptown Youth Program Gumboot Dancers.”
Whatson.co.za : “This year the show will not only take place in Birmingham, but in the historic Freedom Square – also known as the Walter Sisulu Square of dedication in Kliptown, Soweto.”
Joburg.org.za : “The Flyover Show brings music and art to Kliptown, inspired by the individual and collective stories that take place in neglected urban areas.”
MyDestination.com : “Annual live music event, hosted by Soweto Kinch in Freedom Square, Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa. The Flyover show is all about reclaiming space and transforming it into an arena of creative expression.”
Entrance to the show is FREE, with tickets available for collection at any Computicket outlet. More tickets will be made available at other venues around Johannesburg soon.
Show times: Music will Start at 10.00 and finish at 18.00
All Press Enquiries: Bridget Van Oerle – buz@buz.co.za