Skip to main content
Arts & CultureThe Neighbourhood

All the worlds a stage

John Smith 16 August 20255 Min read

History of Busking

Busking has a long history stretching back to our earliest societies. From lyrical contests on the streets of ancient Rome to organ grinders, hurdy-gurdies and court jesters, buskers have been performing in public spaces for at least as long as there have been public spaces. Indeed, busking is a compelling expression of the human spirit and a viable, honourable, and traditional way of making a living.

Heading

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

This is an image caption

Heading

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

Enhance Visitor Experience

To enrich visitors overall experience at the V&A Waterfront by providing live entertainment and cultural perfromances, peach, Enhance Visitor Experience, concave-square, To celebrate and promote South Africa’s and Cape Town’s diverse cultures and artistic traditions through live performances, orange, Cultural Enrichment, To engage with local community, including artists and residents, and involve them in the cultural life of the V&A Waterfront, bright-blue, Community Engagement

Cultural Enrichment

To celebrate and promote South Africa’s and Cape Town’s diverse cultures and artistic traditions through live performances

Community Engagement

To engage with local community, including artists and residents, and involve them in the cultural life of the V&A Waterfront

Create a vibrant atmosphere

To activate the spaces between the buildings and contribute to the lively and vibrant atmoshpere of the V&A Waterfront

Support local Talent

To provide a platform for local artists, musicians, and performers to showcase their talent and reach a broader audience

Promote Arts and Culture

To foster an appreciation for arts and culture by exposing visitors to a variety of artistic genres, such as music, dance and more

The Buskers Programme

So, what does the Buskers Programme actually look like? It has evolved from its inception with the hundreds of performers we’ve hosted since 1992, but the process begins with online applications. Performers are then selected after undergoing a rigorous audition process, which now happens every year in March (keep your eyes on our social media!). Performances are then scheduled and rostered according to various performing sites to ensure an equitable balance between public spaces, retail requirements, and pedestrian foot traffic. Revenue is earned through public gratuities.

Along with a public platform, our buskers also participate in a comprehensive mentorship programme. Its purpose is to support, develop, and upskill every one of our buskers via onsite monthly coaching workshops where participants learn everything about managing themselves, from drawing up business plans to financial best practices and even social media etiquette. Bursary options are also available for further study, career development, recordings or travels, and we’ve put an accelerated programme into place that each year offers buskers on the cusp of success access to external industry experts who provide mentorship on anything from songwriting skills to making the most of studio time.

‘We have built the programme to be a first of its kind, and some great success stories are that of Micaela Kleinsmith and Reinhard Buhr, who garners millions of views on his YouTube platform and has distinguished himself as a global performer. He still comes back every summer to play the streets of The V&A,’ says Henry Mathys, Programme Manager: Social Inclusion and Placemaking at the V&A Waterfront.

Apply nowBuskers Programme Learn more (Placeholder)

I’ve been busking at the V&A Waterfront since 2016. The busking culture appealed to me; it’s much better than many other busking platforms, and the programme and its coordinators do an excellent job taking care of the buskers. They have created a friendly environment for busking, which attracts people from all over looking to perform there and also promotes busking in its own right.

Michaela Kleinsmith

This is an image caption

This is an image caption

This is an image caption

This is an image caption

Heading

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet. Vel etiam suspendisse morbi eleifend faucibus eget vestibulum felis. Dictum quis montes, sit sit. Tellus aliquam enim urna, em, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.Mi tincidunt elit, id quisque ligula ac diam, amet.

Eget quis mi enim, leo lacinia pharetra, semper. Eget in volutpat mollis at volutpat lectus velit, sed auctor. Porttitor fames arcu quis fusce augue enim. Quis at habitant diam at. Suscipit tristique risus, at donec. In turpis vel et quam imperdiet. Ipsum molestie aliquet sodales id est ac volutpat.

The best part about busking is sharing my passion with people worldwide and seeing how music breaks down the walls we put up around ourselves.

Busking is a humbling experience and can be challenging sometimes, but it’s worth it. You have to throw your expectations out the window and just play. If you enjoy what you do, the crowd will too.

Reinhardt Buhr

Other articles

View all news
Things to Do

100+ Reasons to Love Winter at the V&A Waterfront

19 Jun 2026

Things to Do

The Perfect Weekend Staycation Itinerary

17 Jun 2026

Food

The Ultimate Foodie’s Guide to Waterfront Dining

17 Jun 2026

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you.

Contact Us

Whether you’re exploring a new career with us, interested in becoming a tenant or business partner, or just have a question, we’re here to help.