Unity on the Square Festival brings communities together and festive cheer in Cape Town
Thousands came out to celebrate the music, life and culture
Image: Supplied
Loukmaan Adams celebrating his 50th in conjunction with the Unity On The Square concert
Image: Supplied
Thousands of people of all ages, religions, and backgrounds flocked to Greenmarket Square on Tuesday for the Unity on the Square festival, and the event proved to be a resounding success. The gathering of communities not only celebrated music and culture but also helped spread early festive cheer across the city.
The square came alive with music and dancing as festival-goers enjoyed performances from young talent, including the bands of Pinelands High School and The Settlers, as well as the high-energy XO Empire dance crew.
A highlight of the day was the 50th birthday celebration of Loukmaan Adams. Sharing the stage with long-time collaborators such as his brother Emo, Verd, Mujahid George, Alistair Izobell, and Faghrie Isaacs, Adams was surprised with a cake from Chateau Gateaux bakery as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday.”
Headlining the festival, multi-award-winning group Mafikizolo had the crowd singing and dancing to hits like Ndihamba Nawe and Emlanjeni, keeping spirits high even under a light drizzle.
True to the festival’s spirit, attendees brought small educational gifts for children as part of the Tree of Hope initiative at Hotel Sky. The following day, the hotel partnered with the Reach For A Dream Foundation to deliver the gifts to children facing terminal illnesses, spreading the festive cheer well beyond Greenmarket Square.
While thanking his wife, daughters, family, sponsors and the fans, Loukmaan also paid tribute to Taliep Petersen who was murdered on 16 December 2006.
“We’re celebrating five years of unity but the day is also about remembering someone who passed away on this day 19 years ago. He was a father figure to me,” he said.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security, said: “Today, we’re not just recognising the Day of Reconciliation, we’re celebrating people doing exactly what the spirit of this day requires - unifying people here.
“But we’re also celebrating 50 years of Loukmaan Adams. His voice and artistry have been entertaining and captivating Cape Town for 41 years. The Adams brothers are national treasures and truly are Cape Town icons.”
Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, commented on the event saying: “Looking down from my office and seeing thousands of people in the Square was beautiful. This event is wonderful for the arts not just in Cape Town but the Western Cape.
“Events like this bring people together. With all the challenges with energy, crime, gangsterism and social issues events like this bring thousands of people together. It’s been a difficult year for people so to see communities coming out and enjoying different parts of the city lifts all our spirits.”
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za