Press Releases

MTN and SABC form partnership that will elevate 30th anniversary of June 16 Celebrations

Top Star in Johannesburg’s Selby area will rock on June 17 2006, as thousands of South African youth converge at the venue to “Celebrate 30 years of June 16 with MTN e a Rocka and SABC 1.”

This sure to be very hot music festival is one of the kind. For the first time in South Africa, MTN and SABC 1 have compiled a music line up that begins during 1976 and tracks the progress of music as a form of youth expression from 16 June 1976, right up to 16 June 2006.

The Bubblegum music that formed part of the youth during 1976 to 1993 will kick off proceedings, followed by the Kwaito legends from 1993 to 1998, to the Hip Hop vs. Kwaito era from 1999 to 2003 and the 2004 to 2006 African Pop/Soul music fever will conclude proceedings on a day where thousand of South African youth will be gathered.

MTN and SABC 1 are committed to working with the local government in commemorating the events from 16 June 1976 and have heeded the request from the Johannesburg’s mayor’s office and agreed to support and respect the national proceedings being held on the 16th June, and hence, the event has been shifted and will take place on 17 June 2006.

The celebrations on June 17 are about celebrating “being free”. MTN and SABC 1 will showcase that post the 1976 uprising; the youth expressed themselves through music. The event will also acknowledge that the current popularity of South African music genres, developed as a consequence of the courage and determination shown by the youth in 1976.

This year’s 16 June celebrations mark the 30th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, and as such, SABC 1 will deliver a youth month event that takes on a different feel and delivers on a positive South African Youth that are grateful for the past, living for the present and looking forward to a positive future.

Entrance to the concert is free, and the celebrations will begin at 16H00 until 23H00. The event will showcase performances from the 2006 MTN South African Music Award winners and much more. The artist line up includes the Kwaito Legends, Senyaka, Arthur, Thebe, Trompies, BOP, and Mdu. The Hip Hop vs. Kwaito section will be populated by Mandoza vs. Township Frequency a mix between Amu Selwyn and Wick; Mapaputsi vs. Prokid; Mzekezeke vs. Pitch Black Afro; Brickz vs. Tuks; Brown Dash vs. Izinyoka. The Afro Pop/Soul era will see the likes of Malaika, Mafikizola and Ntando and Bongo Muffin on stage.

Metro FM Dj’s will join the celebrations and a soccer tournament where teams can enter and participate against each other and against celebrities in attendance will be held.

“As a proudly South African company it’s important that MTN gets involved in events that the South African public are passionate about. Soweto uprisings took place 30 years ago and music was the one thing that brought young people together. Songs were used to protest and to unite the masses but today we use songs to celebrate our freedom with young musicians who have achieved so much and we are proud to be part of the June 16 celebrations showcasing this year’s MTN SAMA winners. Through our partnership with SABC 1, MTN continues to commit itself to supporting music, which is an integral part of our society. Musicians across the country are forever innovating and braking the boundaries in the way they produce music and MTN is a company that is at the cutting-edge of technology and so there is great synergy between music and the business that MTN and SABC 1 are in, ” says Donovan Smith, MTN General Manger for the Consumer Segment.

The artists performing at the 2006 “Celebrate 30 years of June 16 with MTN e a Rocka and SABC 1,” Music Festival acknowledge the importance of June 16 and will, through music honour those who lost their lives on that day.

Gates open at 14h00 and the first 10 000 people to the ground get a free June 16 Commemorative T-shirt.