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South African DJs and musicians to play London’s Trafalgar Square for Nelson Mandela Day
A range of South African DJs and musicians are due to play a free event in London's Trafalgar Square this weekend to mark Nelson Mandela Day. Taking place on Saturday 18th July, the concert also celebrates 30 years since the writing of the South African Constitution, which enshrined equal rights for all citizens after decades of apartheid rule.
The line-up, curated by Johannesburg promoter Scatterlings, features Afro-house artists Sun-El Musician, Thakzin and Zakes Bantwini, hip-hop and Afro-pop vocalist Sjava, indie folk artist Msaki, songwriter Jesse Clegg and maskanda musician Sipho Mchunu. Jesse Clegg and South Africa's Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, both described the event as a celebration of unity and national identity. It follows DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs fundraiser, which recently raised over £170,000 for South African music charity Bridges for Music.
In short
- Free Nelson Mandela Day concert hits Trafalgar Square on 18 July
- Marks 30 years since South Africa's post-apartheid Constitution
- Line-up includes Sun-El Musician, Zakes Bantwini, Sjava and Msaki
Explained simply
South Africa was governed under apartheid, a system of state-enforced racial segregation, for decades until Nelson Mandela led the anti-apartheid movement and became the nation's first democratically elected president. Nelson Mandela Day, observed globally on his birthday (18 July), is an annual commemoration honouring his legacy and the values of freedom and equality he championed.
South Africa adopted its Constitution in 1996, marking the country's formal transition to democracy following the end of apartheid. The Constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens, representing a fundamental change from decades of systematic racial discrimination and segregation that had previously defined the nation.
These commemorations hold significance for South Africa's national identity and reflect the country's journey from authoritarian rule to democracy. They also serve as occasions for South African culture and artists to reach international audiences.
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