Various tourism organisations, including the Johannesburg Tourism Company, Cradle of Human Kind, Indian Tourism and the tourism offices from several SADC countries, will be at the festival. Over 200 exhibitors, ranging from furniture, health and beauty, crafts, cars, property, finance, business services, to FMCG products, hi-tech appliances and cellular services, will promote their newest products.
Major exhibitors include Standard Bank, University of Johannesburg, The Zulu Kingdom, Black Like me, Golden Products and Media 24, many of whose titles will be running promotions on its exhibition stand and on the main stage. There is a total of 4000 square metre of exhibition space.
Over 100 crafters from various Soweto Arts Co-ops will display their art.
The inaugural Soweto Festival Golf Classic will take place at the nearby Soweto Country Club on Friday 21 September, with players being invited to the VIP opening ceremony later in the day.
To promote Soweto as a tourism destination, The Johannesburg Tourism Company is organising special tours into Soweto, incorporating the festival on the itinerary, with both a day and a day-night option and full transport provided in and out of Soweto from convenient pick up points.
The main stage area provides a platform for young and upcoming fashion designers to showcase their designs alongside established black designers. Additionally, musical entertainment will be presented on the main stage, from afro-pop to with kwaito, gospel with jazz, and maskandi with hip hop.
A special area for parents to drop off their kids will be located close to the entrance. This area will have qualified personnel on hand to look after the kids while an entertainment programme will keep them busy.
An integral part of the Soweto Festival is the Standard Bank Careers Village which is aimed at school goers – especially grades 11 and 12. The objective is to provide them with the tools to assist in making informed decisions about their futures. The Standard Bank Careers Village consists of an exhibition area of employers, tertiary education facilities and a seminar area, which will feature successful South African entrepreneurs with their own stories of success to tell, and an interactive psychometric testing area.
Other major sponsors include Standard Bank and the City of Johannesburg.
For more information, go to www.sowetofestival.co.za.
