Hey Hillbrow! Let’s Dlala!

The 2026 edition of the Hillbrow Carnival, themed around the seasonal journeys of birds, transformed the streets of inner-city Johannesburg into a stage for community expression. The festivities began at the Windybrow Arts Centre with a theatrical production inspired by local bird calls, such as the hadeda and the grey loerie. This performance set the stage for a large-scale street parade that climbed Nugget Street and wound through the heart of Hillbrow, accompanied by stilt walkers, a double-decker bus, and brass bands.

Originally inspired by the vision of late public art advocate Lesley Perkes, the carnival is a collaborative effort involving several inner-city organizations, including Dlala Nje, Fight with Insight, and the Windybrow Arts Centre. These groups provide after-school programs and social support for vulnerable youth in Hillbrow, Berea, and Yeoville. The event also served as a tribute to the women who marched in 1956, echoing their historical demand for freedom of movement and community solidarity.