Juta Street was the place to be last weekend as House of Vans transformed this corner of Johannesburg into a high-energy mix of art, music, and skateboarding from 1 – 3 November. Headlined by the iconic British-Nigerian artist and Vans ambassador Little Simz, the three-day event drew in fans, skaters, and creatives who brought their energy to a weekend of a truly Vans experience.
Joining Little Simz on the lineup were some of South Africa’s top local talents, including Muzi, Internet Girl, K.Keed, Marcus Harvey, lordkez, and ebumnandini. But the experience didn’t stop at music—House of Vans also delivered an unmissable lineup of art exhibitions, interactive workshops, and skateboarding showcases.
Skateboarding was front and centre, with showcases by the Vans South Skate Team and select riders from the European Team. South African skaters Kyle Kheswa, Marci Rodrigues, Yann Horowitz, Thalente Biyela, and Melissa Williams held it down alongside Helena Long, the London-based skater and Vans ambassador. Skate demos, free skate sessions and workshops for the kids, were all held in a custom Vans park built in front of the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge.
Local artists like Crispy Skateboards, David Shiffman, Grant McLachlan, Chenai Gwandure, Melissa Williams (AKA Suzy Snakes), Tkay Modise, Kyle Kheswa, and Sam Clarke displayed pieces that captured South Africa’s street culture. One of the standout experiences was a zine-making workshop led by ALPHABET ZOO and featuring ebumnandini, celebrating DIY culture and the power of storytelling. A board-building workshop focused on engaging local youth and women from the skate community, while a heat press printing session, led by Njabulo Hlophe (AKA Dirty Native Chief), let attendees print custom designs on T-shirts.
The retail pop-up scene added an extra layer, with exclusive merchandise from partners like Milk Eyewear, Broke, Bantu Records, Franasonic, Studio Bananaaa, Shelflife, Sealand Gear, and Baseline. Attendees were able to score exclusive gear that blended fashion and the spirit of skate culture, taking home pieces that embodied the spirit of the event.
“Bringing House of Vans back to Jo’burg has been a massive highlight. It’s not just about the music or the skate demos—it’s about the community. This weekend showed the energy and creativity of the city, and it’s a privilege to see so many people embrace and celebrate the culture that Vans represents.”
Reflecting on the event’s success, Vans South Africa’s Head of Brand, Warren Talbot says,
Stay tuned for more from Vans as it continues to push creative self-expression in South Africa and beyond. Follow the brand on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with the latest.
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