Boom Shaka received the Music Legacy Award recognition at the Basha Uhuru Festival
Johannesburg’s iconic youth culture’s Basha Uhuru Festival honours South African music legends whilst championing emerging talent at Constitution Hill
By Simon Manda
JOHANNESBURG, 15 September 2025 – The 13th edition of the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival delivered an unforgettable celebration of South African creativity on Saturday, as thousands gathered at Constitution Hill for the annual Sounds of Freedom Music Festival. This year’s theme, “Celebrating the Legacy of Creative Expression,” proved particularly poignant as legendary kwaito group Boom Shaka received the 2025 Music Legacy Award in an emotionally charged ceremony.
Founded in 2012 by Constitution Hill, Basha Uhuru was born to honour the youth who took to the streets in 1976, transforming what began as a commemoration of the 1976 Soweto uprisings into a celebration of creative expression. Over its 13-year journey, the festival has evolved into South Africa’s premier platform for emerging artists while celebrating established musical icons.
Saturday’s electrifying lineup at the Basha Uhuru showcased the breadth of South African musical talent, featuring, amongst others, performances by Khuli Chana, Pabi Cooper, Mthandeni SK, Kid Fonque, Lamiez Holworthy, Toss, DJ Cndo, Jahseed & Admiral, and Que DJ. The festival opened at 10:00 AM with live performances, a curated makers’ market, and cultural activities, creating an immersive cultural experience for attendees of all ages.
A groundbreaking addition at this year’s Basha Uhuru was a fashion show presented by the Sophie Ndaba Fashion Hub, uniting music, design and performance in a dynamic showcase, demonstrating the festival’s commitment to expanding creative platforms beyond music.
However, the day’s most moving moment came with Boom Shaka’s Legacy Award presentation by the Basha Uhuru Festival. The surviving members—Thembi Seete, Theo Nhlengethwa, and Junior Sokhela—took to the stage with visible emotion as they reflected on their unexpected journey to recognition.
“It’s all because of you, our fans,” Thembi Seete said, her voice filled with genuine gratitude. “Whenever we get honoured or when we get recognition, which has been happening a lot, especially last year and this year… I get really surprised. I really get the feeling of ‘Oh my God’ when we started this whole thing, we never thought in a million years that we’d be thanked and appreciated so much.”
The tribute carried particular significance as the group honoured their late member, Lebo Mathosa, whose untimely passing in 2006 left an indelible mark on South African music. On the morning of 23 October 2006, before the immediacy of social media, South Africa was shocked by the passing of Lebo Mathosa in a car accident.
Basha Uhuru Gallery
“Let’s honour also the late Lebo—the giant who had an ear for music and gave us so much,” the group acknowledged, dedicating their performance to their beloved bandmate. Lebo’s influence remains woven throughout their musical philosophy, with Thembi explaining: “If you can go back to Boom Shaka songs, we really talk about love. We talk about fun, we talk about loving yourself, we talk about unity, and we talk about things we need to stop doing so that we can be united. Boom Shaka music is really about building.”
As festival-goers—many too young to remember Boom Shaka’s original heyday—sang along to classics like “It’s About Time” and “Thobela,” the Basha Uhuru event demonstrated how authentic artistry transcends generations.
As the music from performers and Djs flowed into the early hours of Sunday, the 2025 Basha Uhuru Festival proved that the revolutionary spirit of 1976 continues to inspire through contemporary creative expression, ensuring that both emerging voices and treasured legacies find their rightful place in South Africa’s cultural narrative.
