Jazz Venue Bassline Survives 32 Years to Unite South Africa

When Brad Holmes fled South Africa in 1988 to escape conscription into the apartheid army, he never imagined that washing dishes in a London jazz restaurant would spark a cultural revolution back home.

Holmes returned to South Africa within days of Nelson Mandela's release from prison, carrying a bold vision. He wanted to create an intimate jazz spot where people could break down the barriers that had divided them for decades.

Twenty-seven banks and sponsors rejected his dream before an American banker finally said yes. Holmes bought secondhand tables and chairs at auctions, and on September 3, 1994, Bassline opened its doors in Melville with the motto "In music we trust."

The tiny stage became legendary. South African icons like Abdullah Ibrahim, Vusi Mahlasela, and Moses Molelekwa performed there, creating a liberated cultural hub for the country's post-apartheid music revolution.

In 2004, Bassline expanded to Newtown as part of a grand vision to transform the historic suburb into a cultural precinct. The venue became home to Africa Day celebrations and welcomed performers from across the African diaspora.

But Newtown fell victim to infrastructural neglect and poor planning decisions. In 2015, a recycling depot moved in across the street, making it impossible for the music venue to operate.

The Ripple Effect

Rather than give up after losing their physical home in 2016, Holmes and his wife Paige Dawtrey reimagined Bassline entirely. They transformed it into a mobile concert and festival company in 2017.

The pandemic hit just as they were finding their festival footing. Like most live music organizations, Bassline struggled, but the team kept collaborating with artists across the continent.

Their persistence paid off with a triumphant post-pandemic concert at Constitution Hill in 2022. The venue, which stands for inclusivity, creativity, and Pan-Africanism, perfectly embodied everything Bassline believes in.

This year's festival, themed "Say Africa" and supported by Jozi My Jozi, brings together compelling voices including Vusi "The Voice" Mahlasela, modern Afro-soul sensation Ami Faku, and acclaimed hip-hop storyteller Yugen Blakrok. The daytime concert at People's Park offers a stunning city backdrop for celebrating African music and unity.

From 27 rejection letters to three decades of bringing people together, Bassline proves that some dreams are worth fighting for.