A lot has changed in the city since then, but that's for another essay. Despite this, Hillbrow remains an economically poor, high-density neighbourhood; an area existing right in the middle of the city yet on its margins. Unsurprisingly, many children in Hillbrow don't attend school due to poverty, and the community has at times been torn apart by xenophobia, crime, and violence.
But it's also a stand-out for being Joburg's first high-rise residential district (something that strikes us on every visit – the potential of Joburg's New York heart), and, its rich mix of pan-African culture. Over the years we have visited regularly, thanks in part to Dlala Nje, who operate out of Ponte, Africa's tallest residential building, and offer unique ways to experience this diverse, immigrant neighbourhood.
Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala! is a separate initiative, not to be confused with Dlala Nje. "Dlala" means 'play', and it's significant that both chose the word so intentionally in a space that often feels conducive to anything but play. Hillbrow is a tough, often feared place.
And yet, standing on those streets and witnessing the outburst of joy, colour, and life that Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala! brought to hundreds of children who took part, felt like an immense privilege. Not to mention plenty of adults who joined in – among them the hundreds of people drawn to their balconies and windows by the fanfare taking place in the streets below.
With Joburg in the midst of a waste removal strike on that day, the streets were piled high with rotting garbage. As we moved along the route, the rubbish became harder to see, our eyes drawn to the performances of the many young people who danced, sang, and played instruments in a brass band. There were more smiles to be seen than one can imagine. At that moment it struck us: it was as if the people who had the least in this city had the most to give. We felt immense pride in being there, being welcomed, and being allowed to take part.
Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala was inspired by fundraising carried out by the late Lesley Perkes (a visionary and friend of Johannesburg In Your Pocket) and conceptualised by Anthea Moys, Gerard Bester, and Mariapaola McGurk, who describes the event as "a collective, inspiring, and visionary event that shows hope and love to those living in the area. It’s not made for people coming in, although they are welcome… it’s made for people already there."
The first street procession which linked the Hillbrow Theatre and Windybrow Arts Centre took place in 2016 and, over the years, the event has continued (after a break during Covid-19). This year, under the creative direction of Tamzyn Botha from Shade Brixton and curator of the Brixton Light Festival, as well as performances directed by Daniel Buckland, the streets around The Windybrow Arts Centre came to life to celebrate the theme 'Imaginary Lines – None are Free Until All are Free'.
We asked Gerard Bester from the Windybrow Arts Centre what the event means to him. "I took part in the first Pride Parade in 1990 in Hillbrow. That was my first experience being part of a protest-celebratory street event – it was electrifying for many reasons. A public street event, whether a lone busker or a large carnival, allows a space to pause. However, in Hillbrow, a moment of pause, stillness, or silence seems near impossible from the everyday. I love that many organisations that dedicate themselves to the well-being of young people in the city come together for this event. May it continue to inspire many more collaborations and partnerships."
On street performance, Bester, a theatre professional who works with youth at Kwasha! Theatre Company, adds, "Street performance is charged with the possibility of the unexpected, surprise, and danger. In bringing these groups together, the Windybrow Arts Centre expresses its commitment to developing genuine and reciprocal relationships with its neighbours and offering a space for young people to explore the arts. It also introduces Kwasha! Theatre Company to the neighbourhood in which it will work, play, facilitate, and perform. Not only are they helping to organise the procession, they are also contributing a performance."
"The joy and energy on the streets that day was contagious."
We loved seeing residents' responses on the day and asked Bester about this. "On Friday we rehearsed on the streets of Hillbrow. A father walking home from work spotted his son who attends Fight With Insight [an inner-city programme that uses amateur boxing to teach children life skills]
rehearsing outside George’s Boxing Club. His smile was large and beautiful. I suppose we get confused for a political rally or a church event, but hopefully, the residents of Hillbrow have a moment to pause to enjoy some joy, colour, and creative play on the streets of their neighbourhood."
The joy and energy on the streets that day was contagious. We've seen the same kind of infection at the annual Brixton Light Festival. It's fascinating to us that Joburg is a city that continues to thrive despite all the challenges thrown its way, and these events create moments that illuminate what might be possible. For that brief time, harsh reality takes a back seat, and we like to think that if the right forces are at play, and the community is put first, tremendous efforts like these will spread like wildfire. Lesley Perkes is somewhere up there, and no doubt smiling after Saturday's incredibly moving, joyful, and utterly beautiful spectacle.
Joburg photowalker Mark Straw, along with Nina Zylstra was there on the day and captured some of the magic. Here are some of our favourite images from the day...
The parade came together through immense collective effort. Organisations that participated on the day included: Lefika La Phodiso, Gcebile Dlamini Foundation and Johannesburg Society for the Blind, Fight with Insight, Innovation of Excellence, Dlala Nje, Exotically Divine, Sinenhlanhla Mgeyi, Khathala Nkomo, Andrew Wispa, MES, Shade Youth Art Programme, African Reclaimers Organisation, George’s Boxing Gym, Johannesburg Awakening Minds, Three2Six, ToGaTa, Ezase-Vaal Brass band, Sentech Croozers, Windybrow Choir, Windybrow marimba players in partnership with Marimba Jam and the Windybrow Literacy Group (facilitated by Sisaxhoba Magama, Sue-Anne Hamer and Devorah Rothman – UJ Art Therapy Honours students), David Gara and The Cirk. Ekhaya CID, Badboys Security, Hillbrow Police, Nosh Food Rescue, SEF Internship Programme, Market Theatre, Craig Maarschalk, Assitej South Africa, Joburg Photowalkers, and the City of Johannesburg.
The event was funded by the Windybrow Arts Centre, Market Theatre Foundation, and an annual grant from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
If you would like to get involved with Hey Hillbrow! Let's Dlala! for future events, contact the Windybrow Arts Centre or Tamzyn Botha at shadebrixton@gmail.com
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