An Ode to Unity and Artistry: Cape Town’s Signature Event, Unity on the Square

4 mins read
cultural diversity artistry

Unity on the Square is a festival that celebrates artistic mastery, diversity, and unity in Cape Town. It features traditional dances, music from local artists, and a marketplace for local craftspeople. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. It has become a hallmark holiday event in Cape Town and showcases the city’s dedication to local talent and entrepreneurship.

What is Unity on the Square in Cape Town?

Unity on the Square is a festival that celebrates unity, diversity, and artistic mastery in Cape Town. It features traditional dances and music from local artists and serves as a marketplace for local craftspeople to showcase their work. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. The festival has become a hallmark holiday event in Cape Town, setting the tone for the festive season.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

An Emblem of Cultural Diversity and Artistic Excellence

As dawn spills warm colors across the Cape Town skyline on the forthcoming Saturday, December 16, 2023, Greenmarket Square – the city’s pulsating heart – is preparing to throb with renewed energy. The Day of Reconciliation is poised to be shrouded in a festive aura, thanks to the third installment of Unity on the Square. This dynamic event, a rich fusion of traditional dances and sonic melodies from top-tier local musicians, transcends being a mere celebration. It stands as a symbol of unity, diversity, and artistic mastery.

Unity on the Square has grown into a hallmark holiday event of Cape Town, setting the festive season’s tone and becoming a whirlwind of pleasure for families. With the Square transforming into a grand amphitheater, the crème de la crème of local artists are ready to captivate their audience. The impressive roster boasts notable South African talents such as Emo Adams, Youngsta CPT, Jack Parow, Kurt Darren, Early B, Loukmaan Adams, Jimmy Nevis, Paxton Fielies, and NV Funk, to name a few.

A Marketplace of Artistry and Entrepreneurship

These artists are primed not only to mesmerize attendees with their performances but also to offer a stage for local craftspeople to make a living and display their crafts. Unity on the Square surpasses being just a musical festival – it’s a marketplace that uplifts local artistry and entrepreneurship. This tribute to local talents is supported by the City of Cape Town, which values initiatives that rejuvenate the performing arts and create opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

As articulated by JP Smith, the City’s MMC for Safety and Security, “The uniqueness of this event lies in its focus on creating opportunities for local artists”. The event indeed acts as a catalyst for growth, an opportunity beacon, and proof of the city’s dedication to its talented citizens.

Collaboration and Education: Adding New Dimensions

This year, the event has a significant addition – a partnership with Guga S’ Thebe, the cultural centre based in Langa. This alliance is expected to give crafters a chance to display and sell their work, adding a new layer to Unity on the Square. The event organizer, Shaakirah Adams, stresses the importance of this partnership, saying, “We place a significant focus on family-friendly activities to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will find something to enjoy at the festival”.

But the event isn’t merely about entertainment and fostering entrepreneurship; it also offers practical education. Adams is set to host a series of workshops for CPUT students, focusing on event management skills, permit processes, budgeting, and securing event funding. This educational element accentuates the comprehensive nature of Unity on the Square, making it a platform for learning, growth, and development.

Celebrating Unity and Diversity in the Heart of Cape Town

From 2 pm to 11 pm, the vibrant energy of Unity on the Square will permeate Greenmarket Square, reaching as far as Burg Street and Longmarket Street. If you desire to participate in this celebration of unity and diversity, tickets are available on Quicket. The ticket prices are R200 for general adult access, R130 for children aged 12 to 16, R300 for adult VIP access, and R135 for pensioners.

As the city prepares to host this stunning event, it underscores the power of unity and the creative potential that can be unlocked when diverse talents unite. This celebration, platform, and marketplace, at its core, is a symbol of Cape Town’s spirit, where artistry, entrepreneurship, and community merge to create something truly enchanting. So, on Saturday, December 16, 2023, allow the spirit of unity, diversity, and artistic prowess to envelop you as you join the city in celebrating one of its most-anticipated events – Unity on the Square.

When is Unity on the Square taking place in Cape Town?

Unity on the Square takes place on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

What can attendees expect from Unity on the Square?

Attendees can expect a festival that celebrates unity, diversity, and artistic mastery in Cape Town. There will be traditional dances, music from local artists, and a marketplace for local craftspeople to showcase their work. The event also offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding.

Who will be performing at Unity on the Square?

The impressive roster boasts notable South African talents such as Emo Adams, Youngsta CPT, Jack Parow, Kurt Darren, Early B, Loukmaan Adams, Jimmy Nevis, Paxton Fielies, and NV Funk, to name a few.

What is the cost of attending Unity on the Square?

Ticket prices for Unity on the Square are R200 for general adult access, R130 for children aged 12 to 16, R300 for adult VIP access, and R135 for pensioners.

What is the educational aspect of Unity on the Square?

Unity on the Square offers practical education in event management skills, budgeting, and securing event funding. The festival organizer, Shaakirah Adams, is set to host a series of workshops for CPUT students.

What is the significance of the partnership with Guga S’ Thebe?

The partnership with Guga S’ Thebe, the cultural center based in Langa, gives crafters a chance to display and sell their work, adding a new layer to Unity on the Square and fostering entrepreneurship. The event organizer, Shaakirah Adams, stresses the importance of this partnership to ensure that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, will find something to enjoy at the festival.

Aiden Abrahams is a Cape Town-based journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting political landscape for the Weekend Argus and Daily Maverick. Whether tracking parliamentary debates or tracing the legacy of District Six through his family’s own displacement, he roots every story in the voices that braid the Peninsula’s many cultures. Off deadline you’ll find him pacing the Sea Point promenade, debating Kaapse klopse rhythms with anyone who’ll listen.

Previous Story

South Africa’s Battle for Transparency: Waging War Against Corruption

Next Story

A Nerve-Wracking Incident Involving American Rap Artist 2 Chainz

Latest from Blog

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.

The Woman Who Taught Cape Town to Breathe Under Fire

Arlene Wehr taught Cape Town how to fight fires like a boss! She was one of the first women firefighters and totally changed the game. Arlene created cool new ways to find water, like “Operation Liquid Grid,” and made sure everyone had a chance to become a firefighter, even women. Because of her, Cape Town is safer, and the fire department is much more welcoming to all.

Morea House: Where the Atlantic Meets Art, Granite and Ghost-Nets

Morea House is Cape Town’s first fancy Marriott hotel, born from an old 1960s building. It shines with blushpink walls and art made from old fishing nets, making it feel truly special. This hotel is all about local beauty, from its design to its food, and even how it saves the planet. Imagine rooftop pools, unique spa experiences, and rooms where you wake up to amazing views. It’s a place where every detail tells a story of the ocean and the land, making your stay unforgettable.