Makhelwane Festival is back. In its ninth year, this colourful and friendly community event celebrates local Soweto culture and the neighbourly spirit of togetherness, or ubuntu/botho. 

The festival is brought together by the original makers of the Locrate Market, and it's built around the idea of reviving the goodness of an earlier age of township culture, where neighbours once opened their homes to one another, and community was fostered through the exchange of food and conversation.
 
For two days, Poka Street in Orlando West is ready to open its doors to celebrate the spirit of umakhelwane, or 'neighbourliness'. Expect great street food, music, and plenty of local crafters, artists, and labels like Floyd Avenue, Gogaga, and Dope Store.
 
In the spirit of communal unity and mutual upliftment, on Fri, Feb 16 there will be business sessions at Thesis at 173 Machaba Drive, Mofolo Village, giving platforms to entrepreneurs and young business owners to help them network. Panellists include author Banele Rewo, Proudly South Africa CMO Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi, co-founder of Thesis Lifestyle Galebowe Mahlatsi, visual artist Fhatuwani Mukheli, and the CEO of the Gauteng Economic Propellor Saki Zamxaba.

The makers of Makhelwane Festival have always put a focus on entrepreneurship, and this event supports the empowerment of small and medium-sized township enterprises. Above all else, it's always a fun way to experience Soweto.  

The weekend will also be filled with live music. Some of the artists audiences will see over the weekend are Zoë Modiga, Tubatsi Moloi, Pearl Thusi, Linda Moeketsi, and Dali Wonga.
 
Take advantage of the early bird special of R150 per day or R250 for a weekend pass running until Feb 9. After that, tickets cost R200 per day and a weekend pass is R300. VIP access is R300 and includes a private picnic area and a VIP bar. Get your tickets here.
 
Poka Street, Orlando West, will be closed to cars for the festival.