Constitution Hill once again opens its doors to host a new edition of the Human Rights Festival, running from 26 to 29 March 2025. This 8th annual arts and culture festival in Johannesburg quickly became one of the most important events in the city and province.
Entry is free, and the greater public is invited to commemorate South Africa’s Human Rights Day and celebrate the memory of liberation heroes who took a stand for human rights in the Sharpeville 1960 massacre.
The 2026 theme is Remembering the Past. Engaging the Present. Shaping a Just Future. The festival aims to create greater awareness and knowledge around human rights and to promote the importance of an active citizenry.
Today, the festival’s focus is on building greater awareness and knowledge, human rights and promoting active citizenry. A range of workshops, talks, and entertaining experiences are curated to build solidarity, social cohesion and tolerance of difference and heal divisions in our communities. Here’s the full weekend programme.
The 1000 Drums for Solidarity: A collective drumming experience
Join the 1000 Drums for Solidarity and be part of a powerful collective experience, where a drum is waiting for you. No experience is needed, just bring yourself and join in.
Taking place as part of the Human Rights Festival at Constitution Hill, this gathering brings people together through rhythm as a shared language of unity and resistance. Participants will drum in solidarity with communities affected by conflict and injustice in Palestine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Western Sahara, Eswatini and South Africa, while also extending support to people in Iran, Lebanon, Venezuela and Cuba.
Alongside the drumming, the programme includes speakers and artists from across these regions, offering space for reflection, dialogue and cultural expression. Speakers include Shomari Mukandjwa of the Congo Solidarity Campaign, journalist and Palestine activist Zukiswa Wanner, and Roshan Dadoo of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Expect poetry, performances and moments of collective action as voices come together to call for an end to war and injustice.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 28 March from 9am
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Is there adequate and fair representation in South African film and TV?
Thirty years after the adoption of South Africa’s Constitution, LGBTIQA+ communities continue to face the erasure of queer narratives in mainstream media. This panel explores whether representation in local television and film is truly fair, accurate and reflective of lived experiences.
Presented by House of Ditsie, the session brings together voices from film, television, journalism and storytelling to unpack the challenges faced by queer practitioners. It examines how exclusion and misrepresentation can contribute to broader issues such as hate speech, violence and marginalisation, while opening up space for practical solutions and more inclusive approaches to storytelling in South Africa.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 28 March from 3pm
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Local authors and live readings at the Book Fair
The Book Fair at the 2026 Human Rights Festival brings together 33 exhibitors, including independent authors, publishers, children’s creators, poets and community reading initiatives. The showcase offers a space to discover books, meet creators and engage with stories shaped by identity, justice, memory and lived experience.
The fair reflects a wide range of voices and genres, from African literature, memoir and poetry to children’s books, speculative fiction and educational publishing. Alongside browsing, visitors can enjoy panels, readings, talks and storytelling sessions, making it both a cultural experience and a space for learning, reflection and connection.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Friday, 27 March and Saturday, 28 March. Various times
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Civic Education to Combat Gender-Based Violence
Civic education plays a vital role in combating gender-based violence by raising awareness of laws, rights and responsibilities, while encouraging active citizenship. It empowers individuals to speak out, report abuse and hold perpetrators accountable. Beyond elections and politics, civic education becomes a practical tool for communities to challenge harmful norms and attitudes that perpetuate violence, and to promote values of equality and justice.
This work is supported by a network of over 4,800 young leaders across South Africa, equipped with the skills to drive meaningful change for the public good.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Friday, 27 March from 12pm
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Gauteng Curated Maker’s Market
The Curated Maker’s Market adds a lively shopping and food experience to the wider festival programme, inviting visitors to browse, connect, and support local enterprise. From street food and sweet treats to natural body products, clothing, jewellery, and curated reading finds, the market creates space for creativity, commerce, and community to meet.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours here
When: From 27 to 29 March, various times
Where: Starting at Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Artivism and the key exhibitions on show
Explore artivism at Constitution Hill’s Human Rights Festival through a series of thought-provoking exhibitions. The World I See, presented by Play Africa in partnership with the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives, is on view at the Number 4 Exhibition Space. Also at Constitution Hill, Modisi wa go botega, a solo exhibition by artist Setlamorago Mashilo, is hosted in the Women’s Jail Exhibition Wings. Visitors can also experience This Is Who I Am at the Number 4 Exhibition Space, presented by the British High Commission in collaboration with Windybrow Arts Centre and London Artists Projects.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: From 26 to 29 March. Various times
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Catch screenings at The Human Rights Freedom Film Festival
This capsule fest will include two days of a curated selection of powerful documentaries, hard-hitting dramas, and revolutionary indie films. Filmmakers will highlight human rights struggles, triumphs, and the people fighting for justice across the globe.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Friday, 27 March and Saturday, 28 March. Various times
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Technology, Power, and Democracy in South Africa: Reclaiming the Digital Commons workshop
The Technology, Power, and Democracy in South Africa: Reclaiming the Digital Commons workshop explores how platforms, data systems and AI are reshaping political power, state authority and democratic participation. It also looks at how global tech corporations, data extraction and trade regimes can limit accountability and constitutional governance.
This session invites participants to consider how algorithms, biometrics, online violence and high data costs continue to reinforce inequality and restrict meaningful participation in public life.
Presented by Tekano, part of a global network of Atlantic programmes, the workshop contributes to a broader mission of addressing systemic inequities through knowledge-sharing, collaboration and action towards more inclusive and equitable societies.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Saturday, 28 March from 3pm
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The Children’s Village: Insightful and entertaining
The Children’s Village will be open to teach the little ones how to vote, offer a brief overview of our Constitution, and provide other educational encounters. Live theatre and storytelling are on the cards as well.
The Children’s Festival brings together young audiences, families, schools and community organisations for two days of creative, rights-focused programming. This year’s programme features dance, drumming, theatre, music and interactive workshops across the site.
Friday highlights include performances by Afrika Tikkun, Moving Into Dance, and Struggles Theatre’s What’s in the Air?, while Saturday introduces interactive sessions like Play Date by Sistaboss Academy and expressive performances from Sir Alba Tutoring & Arts Academy.
Cost: Free, but tickets are required. Get yours via Webtickets
When: Friday, 27 March and Saturday, 28 March. Various times
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
The annual WeThePeople walk + a new running event
The iconic WeThePeople Walk is an 8km walk through the streets of Johannesburg that urges organisations, government offices and all members of the public to join. This walk drives awareness for Human Rights and their own supported causes in South Africa. The initiative was founded in 2014 and gathers thousands of attendees each year.
This year, the urgent WeThePeople Walk has teamed up with Fit City to bring you the first-ever walk and run through the vibrant streets of Johannesburg for an essential cause. Choose between a child-friendly 5km Walk, a 5km run or a 10km run, kicking off from 7:30am.
Afterwards, you can look forward to wellness offerings, recovery event activations, music, entertainment activities and all the treats from the Gauteng Curated Makers Market.
Cost: R80pp, book via Webtickets
When: Sunday, 29 March from 7am
Where: Starting at Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Get in touch
Website: humanrightsfestival.co.za
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 011 381 3100
