In its prime, the Sans Souci cinema was the place for many Sowetans to leave their worries at the door.

With soft lights, plush seats in the balcony, affordable wooden benches on the main floor, and a café next door selling red cakes (as well as vendors outside selling fresh pies), the Sans Souci represented going out in style for the people of Kliptown and their nearby neighbours, who often walked for hours to see a magical picture show or hear some jazz on a Sunday afternoon.

The Sans Souci Revival Project, led by Kliptown Our Town Trust, suggests and hopes that by rebuilding and reviving this once vibrant meeting place, visited by Nelson Mandela, Kenny Fihla and Amos Masondo, the current mayor of Johannesburg, a much needed public and cultural life may also be revived for both old-timers and newcomers alike, here in this historic district of Soweto.

Kliptown (pop. 36,000) is the oldest urban settlement in Johannesburg (established in 1903) and was host to Nelson Mandela (who hid out here), Walter Sisulu and the Congress of the People, which signed the 1955 Freedom Charter. Yet Kliptown has suffered years of broken promises and neglect. The area is in serious need of housing, schools, clean water and other such basic services.

Over 125 interviews conducted by field workers during July 2002 in Kliptown confirms that the Sans Souci maintains a powerful place in the memory of many Sowetans and that residents feel that rebuilding the Sans Souci may bring increased opportunities for employment, education, recreation and entertainment.