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The Department of Economic Development through the Joburg Tourism Company (JTC) is supporting the ninth edition of the Makhelwane Festival. 

Themed, “Soweto Through the Eyes of the Locals”, this year’s festival will be held from 27 to 29 January 2023 at Lebo’s Backpackers, 10823 Pooe Street Orlando West.

Contributing to social cohesion, economic growth and cultural tourism, the event takes place in Soweto, Johannesburg’s oldest township with rich heritage, struggle history and world-renowned tourist attractions. In the past, the festival attracted 1 200 local and regional supporters who attended to enjoy the line-up of top artists and an exciting mix of home-grown talent over the two days. 

One of our core mandates as the Department of Economic Development is to support and promote the development of Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The JTC is supporting the festival through SMME business talks taking place on Friday, 27 January, to give market access and business links to some 20 SMMEs to participate in the weekend market and showcase their products throughout the festival. 

This celebrated signature event is set to feature the best township experience in a family friendly environment, featuring headliners such as KO and DJ Christos, kiddies’ entertainment, business talks, arts and crafts, street dining, virtual reality, movie screening and more. 

The projected economic impact of hosting Makhelwane Festival in Soweto is estimated at R2.5 million based on about 2 500 festivalgoers expected to attend the festival, while also stimulating job creation for unemployed youth to work at the festival from set-up to breakdown. Indirect employment opportunities to be created during the hosting of the festival range from technical crews, production crews, security, ushers and other services aligned to hosting of the festival during and post the festival. The festival will give trading opportunity to Joburg based SMMEs namely, food vendors as well arts and craft to sell their products to the festivalgoers.

Lifestyle and culture tourism are important contributors to the tourism sector and the broader economic growth of the city, thus we are excited to support the Makhelwane festival this year, while we encourage locals and tourists visiting Soweto over this weekend to attend the festival and support local businesses. 

Issued by The City of Johannesburg