Cape Town will once again witness a celebration of heritage and creativity this weekend as two major cultural events unfold across the city. The Aweh Cultural Showcase returns to the V&A Waterfront on Saturday with an expanded programme, while the Cape Town Photo Festival continues to captivate audiences with exhibitions and discussions that stretch from the city centre to outlying suburbs.
Aweh Cultural Showcase Returns
The Aweh Cultural Showcase, first staged last year, is back with a promise of even greater energy and inclusivity. Organised by Bruinchild Media in partnership with Uthando (Love) South Africa, the event places a strong emphasis on using culture and sport as tools for change. This year, attention falls on the Lovenaires Tjommies Sporting Club youth from Hanover Park, a community often scarred by poverty and violence. Through mentorship, sport, and music, these young people are carving out opportunities that stand in stark contrast to the difficulties around them.
The free public event at the V&A Waterfront will feature standout performances from The Tjommies Minstrel Group and the Cape Malay Choir, both renowned for their ability to capture the spirit of resilience and unity in Cape Town’s cultural identity.
Bruinchild Media founder Alex Cupido explained that the idea behind the showcase is rooted in challenging stereotypes while promoting authentic stories of heritage.
“I created this event last year to show the world that coloured people aren’t just drug addicts and gangsters but we are people with talent, a culture and heritage.”
He further highlighted the role of his organisation, which has been operating since 2020 as a non-profit dedicated to nurturing emerging music artists.
“I started Bruinchild media as a non-profit company in 2020 to help aspiring music artists. We create music workshops, music events and do a lot of community work as I come from a very colourful background.”
Cupido believes the showcase is more than entertainment; it is a moment of collective pride.
“The Aweh Cultural Showcase is more than a free public event, it’s an invitation to stand together in pride. It’s where history and modern creativity meet.”
Last year’s debut drew more than 3,000 people over the course of the day, a turnout that organisers expect to surpass this year. Families are encouraged to attend between 12pm and 3pm, with organisers promising an afternoon that will be “bigger, louder, and prouder.”
Cape Town Photo Festival Expands Citywide
Running in parallel, the Cape Town Photo Festival is offering audiences a different lens through which to experience the city’s artistic energy. Showcasing thought-provoking works across photography’s many forms, the festival features not only exhibitions but also workshops, artist talks, panel discussions, and live music.
The festival has managed to draw celebrated South African voices, acclaimed international photographers, and a new wave of emerging talents. The range of programming reflects its ambition: to interrogate the art, craft, and future of photography in an accessible and engaging way.
While the heart of the festival is based at 6 Spin Street Gallery in central Cape Town, the event reaches far beyond, with satellite activities hosted in locations as varied as Simon’s Town, Kalk Bay, Observatory, and Bellville. This spread underscores its mission to connect established professionals with curious newcomers from different corners of the city.
The festival runs until 27 September, with all tickets made freely available through Quicket, ensuring that accessibility remains at the forefront of its design.
A Weekend of Culture and Connection
Taken together, these events reveal a Cape Town eager to foreground its diverse stories. The Aweh Cultural Showcase reclaims coloured identity in a public space, while the Cape Town Photo Festival uses the lens of art to connect people across backgrounds and disciplines. Both seek to nurture community and creativity at a time when cultural spaces play a crucial role in shaping dialogue.
For those in the city this weekend, the opportunity to experience this combination of heritage, performance, and photography is not one to be missed.
