Top Local Acts Take the Stage at We the 99’s First People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice and Uprising Festival

We the 99 is hosting their inaugural People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice and Uprising Festival, running from 20 to 22 November 2025. The festival is dedicated to bringing voices from around the world together in the name of justice, equality and change, and will also feature performances by beloved South African acts. Here’s what you need to know.

We the 99 Summit and festival | What's on in Joburg

What to expect from the People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice

Taking place on the days leading up to and during the first G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa, We the 99% People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice aims to be the voice of the people, challenging and reframing dominant narratives about the global economy while G20 leaders meet behind closed doors to decide the fate of billions.

The carefully structured three-day event is focussed on interrogating global inequality and advancing people-centred alternatives through movement-building, civil society dialogue, and music. The Summit amplifies calls for debt justice, equitable climate finance, fair taxation, and economic democracy issues at the heart of people’s everyday struggles but often absent from elite decision-making tables.

We the 99’s People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice and Uprising Festival, both represent a space for celebration and a rallying point for sustained, global action to reshape the future economy in service of people and planet.

The summit programme is as follows:

Day 1 and 2 – The Summit hosts workshops, dialogues, and creative actions that imagine the world that the average South African deserves.
Day 3 – The final day is the We the 99% Uprising Festival, a massive celebration of global solidarity, rhythm, and resistance with South Africa’s top artists.

We the 99 Summit and festival Back to the City Festival Maglera Doe Boy DBN Gogo image by @hlonisickjoe | what's on in Joburg — Maglera Doe Boy at Back to the City (left) | DBN Gogo. Image by @hlonisickjoe (right)

We the 99% Uprising Festival musical lineup

A top tier line-up of powerful artists and creatives will usher in versatile entertainment on all event days, culminating in the We the 99% Uprising Festival.

Much-loved names such as iPhupho L’ka Biko, Buhlebendalo, Lebo Mashile, Maglera Doe Boy, DBN Gogo, DJ Kenzhero and The Brother Moves On are all part of the festivities, proving it to be a true people-driven moment.

We the 99 Summit and festival — We the 99 climate protests

How to book + stand a chance to win free Uprising Festival tickets

What’s on in Joburg readers stand the chance to attend Day 3’s Uprising Festival for free! Act now and be one of the first 50 attendees to purchase a ticket using the code WHATSON_K79TPOUR to claim a free ticket.

Cost: Entry for Day 1 and 2 is free; entry for Day 3 is R350pp. Book for all three days online

When: Thursday to Saturday, 20 to 22 November 2025 | Day 1 and 2 from 9am to 5pm. Day 3 from 12pm to 9pm
Where: Constitution Hill, 11 Kotze St, Johannesburg