Joburg city streets come alive for Women’s Day weekend

Hundreds of children and young people walked through the streets of Hillbrow at the seventh annual Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! street arts festival. Photos: Ihsaan Haffejee

Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala!

Hundreds of young people in bird costumes paraded through the streets of Hillbrow in Johannesburg on Saturday for the seventh annual Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala! street arts festival.

The festival brought together young people from various cultural backgrounds shortly after violent xenophobic incidents threatened to divide the community.

The festival’s theme for this year, “Arise”, was inspired by the migration of birds, symbolising freedom of movement and crossing borders.

Young artists perched on the rooftop of the Windybrow Arts Centre in Hillbrow.

The festival’s theme “Arise” drew on the migration of birds as a symbol of freedom, movement and crossing borders.

“Bringing together over 300 children over a holiday programme, which became like an art residency, to work with professional artists is a way to bring back a sense of belonging and joy after a period of fear and intimidation,” said Gerard Bester of the Windybrow Arts Centre, which organises the event, alongside Shade.

“The inner city of Johannesburg is not always the friendliest place for young people,” he said. So Hey Hillbrow … is a way to bring back some joy to the streets of Hillbrow.”

More than 300 children and young people paraded through the inner city.

Participants had spent two weeks preparing for the event with professional artists experienced in textile design, music, physical theatre, street art and theatre.

The grey go-away-bird, or lourie, whose call is used to warn of danger, was a particular inspiration for this year’s parade. The organisers said the bird’s warning call represented a collective voice, one that could alert, gather, protect and transform.

“Belonging is vital for young people and a sense of safety and a sense of ownership of the space they live in,” said Bester.

Artist Aphiwe Dike from theatre troupe Johannesburg Awakening Minds (JAM).

Sunday’s 70th anniversary of the 1956 Women’s March against apartheid pass laws, and the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprising in June, have both been significant themes in Windybrow’s work this year, said Bester.

“Young people are extraordinary in their passion, their commitment, dedication and focus,” he said. “They are courageous in engaging themes that speak back to their neighbourhood and some of the issues, some of the problems, the good and the bad.”

Main Street Sundays

On Sunday, a 1km section of Main Street in Marshalltown was closed to vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians, cyclists and skaters to move freely.

Main Street Sundays is organised by Jozi My Josi in partnership with other initiatives including the Young Urbanists. The aim is to encourage people to walk, play and spend time in the Johannesburg CBD. It forms part of Jozi My Jozi’s broader campaign to encourage investment and activity in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Thousands of people attended the Main Street Sundays event hosted by Jozi My Jozi.

Entrance was free. There was live music, a market, art exhibitions, children’s activities, street games, and areas set aside for cycling and skating. The street was divided into several zones, including a wellness area, an active mobility zone, a children’s area and a walkable art mile.

Dante Mohapi from Skateistan conducts free skateboarding lessons at Main Streets Sunday. Skateistan was founded in Kabul, Afghanistan, to empower children, particularly young girls, through skateboarding. It has since become a worldwide movement.

“It’s great to see events such as these where families can come out and enjoy the streets of Joburg safely,” said Sifiso Nkwali, a Johannesburg resident who attended the event with his family.

“There has been so much to do, especially for the kids, I’m really impressed. We really need to support initiatives such as these because the inner city has such great potential.”

Tebogo Lelaletse, a differently-abled dancer, showcases his skills.

“A lot of people sit at home and think, ‘Oh, the city’s broken, it’s terrible,” said Jozi My Jozi’s Janet De Kretser. “When they come through, they are so pleasantly surprised at what they see.”

“If we want Jozi to work, we must start with its streets,” said Roland Postma, managing director of Young Urbanists. “Because once you change the street, you change the city.”

Members of the Johannesburg metro police, private security guards and volunteers were stationed along the street.

Chess was among the activities.

Roller skater Noah Roche from the Golden City Rollers performs a trick.

A group of cyclists arrive at Main Street in Marshalltown.

Artist Alastair Findlay sketches the scene around Main Street in Marshalltown.

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