Soweto 50 Celebration

Get ready to honor 50 years of Soweto's vibrant history from the comfort of your home. This fun and engaging event is packed with stories, music, and moments that highlight what makes Soweto truly unforgettable. Connect with others, celebrate the spirit, and experience everything amazing about this iconic place! Don’t miss out on this special gathering where history meets heart.

Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Location: Abyssinian Baptist Church · 132 Odell Clark Place · Harlem, NY 10030

Doors Open 8:30 AM · Program Begins 9:15 AM · Closes 11 AM

On June 16, 1976, the youth of Soweto, South Africa, marched for their freedom and changed the course of history. On June 16, 2026 — fifty years later — Harlem opens that anniversary at one of America's most historic and beloved institutions.

Join New Heritage Theatre Group at Abyssinian Baptist Church for the opening ceremony of Soweto 50: We R the Future — a free morning of music, spirit, and community honoring the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising and South Africa's national Youth Day.

THE MORNING PROGRAM

The Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir opens the program with gospel and spiritual selections that have filled these walls for generations. South African musician and composer Sipho Kunene leads an immersive musical experience rooted in the South African choral and percussion tradition — the sound of the liberation movement, brought to Harlem. Leleti Khumalo — the original Sarafina from the legendary 1988 Broadway production — will be in attendance, traveling from Durban, South Africa for this occasion. Voza Rivers, who produced Sarafina! on Broadway in 1988 and co-founded HARLEM WEEK, will address the gathering.

PRESENTED BY New Heritage Theatre Group · Abyssinian Baptist Church

WITH THE SUPPORT OF Disney · Harlem Stage · Senator Chuck Schumer · Congressman Adriano Espaillat · The Shubert Organization · The Nederlander Organization · Harlem Hospital · City College of New York