With the international Afropunk festival making its debut in Johannesburg as 2017 draws to a close, what better time to not only get in touch with your musical roots, but with your human heritage too!

Afropunk, a global festival hosted annually in New York, Atlanta, London and Paris, makes its inaugural appearance on 30 and 31 December at Constitution Hill. In the lead-up to Afropunk, Constitution Hill launched a tourism-collective website under the “I am Joburg” banner, aimed at drawing in local and international festivalgoers. The site features a curated array of experiences and tours, sharing the city’s cultural diversity. These include two unmissable opportunities to visit Maropeng, the gateway to the Cradle of Humankind.

Picture5
Constitution Hill is the chosen venue for Afropunk's first appearance in South Africa (Image: I am Joburg)

Explore the essence of humanity on the Almost Human tour, which includes a six- to eight-hour exploration of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, home to our ancestors more than three million years ago. A visit to the Sterkfontein Caves and the world-class interactive exhibitions at the visitor centre, Maropeng, provide an enlightening overview of humankind’s journey. See and learn more about various fossil sites in the Cradle and soak up the tranquility of this rural destination.

Those who wish to spend longer in this fascinating part of South Africa might prefer the Explore Pretoria and The Cradle of Humankind tour, a three-day, two-night experience that includes a tour of the Sterkfontein Caves and its archaeological discoveries. An unforgettable day will end with sundowners on the pool deck of the hotel at the Maropeng Visitor Centre.

Afropunk, a mix of celebrated local and international musicians, will treat end-of-year revellers to two nights of exceptional entertainment at Constitution Hill. The line-up includes artists Solange Knowles, Anderson Paak, Laura Mvula, King Tha and many others guaranteed to keep the vibe festive.

Picture3
A bike tour of Soweto is on offer during the Afropunk festival period. (Image: I am Joburg)

The Afropunk concept is all-inclusive. It’s a celebration of black culture that embraces multiculturalism and equality for all races, genders and creeds. This ethos makes it a perfect match for Constitution Hill, a precinct that documents the history of South Africa’s cultural exclusion before the country became a democracy in 1994.

Multinight packages, walking and cycle tours, cultural experiences and culinary adventures are designed to entice visitors to other destinations that lie beyond the Afropunk festival. And, as an integral role player in the greater Gauteng tourism initiative, Maropeng welcomes travellers to South Africa’s Gauteng province – “the place of gold”.

Book your Afropunk tickets here.