The Sans Souci, once the home of so many jazz concerts, political meetings and escapist film moments, is in ramshackle condition. The collection of concrete walls that outline its remains is badly in need of reviving. Yet the former dancehall and cinema, the Sans Souci still stands, sparking memories from one of the rare public social gathering places in Kliptown.

The Sans Souci theatre located in Kliptown, Soweto was, as one resident put it, "the pulse of Kliptown." This 'blum spot' was appropriately named Sans Souci (without your worries) by its owner, Mr. Mia in 1946. Previously the Sans Souci was known as David’s Dancehall. In 1948, Mr. Ahmet Ballim who had been watching the magical world of the Sans Souci as a Kliptown resident, decided to take over the profitable business.

But to take over the world of entertainment, Mr. Ballim needed to build a septic tank (there was no local sewerage), and provide a generator in order to run the films (much of Kliptown is still without electricity). “It was difficult,” says Mr. Ballim, “at times you had a variation in voltage which showed up in the sound system and on the screen. But it was a very good business and I loved exhibiting movies. People enjoyed themselves!”

In 2002, Jabu Masuku, from Dwamini Road described the Sans Souci of his childhood as: “Joy, happiness, stress-free.”

Indeed, for many townsfolk, the Sans Souci represents the place to leave your troubles at the door. "I consider this to be one of the best places in Kliptown," says 21 year old Leon.

Leon is a member of a loosely formed group, The Boy Scouts (TBS), men who continue to occupy the now defunct remains of the Sans Souci on a daily basis. For the Boy Scouts, perceived as a rough and tumble group, the number one issue is lack of employment. But for them as well, the Sans Souci contains good memories of their younger days. "There's a lot to say about this place," continues Leon. "This, especially is our favourite spot," he says pointing to the stage, "because it is where all our fun happened. This place has a hold on us."

For TBS and many other residents interviewed in July 2002, the Sans Souci was the place to be, especially on weekends when many functions were held.

In its early days, up until the mid 1970s, the Sans Souci was host to jazz concerts featuring local talent like the Gene Rockwell, Dingle boys, The Manhattan Brothers, The Ink Spots, The Black Five, The Twilights, The Minerals and national stars such as Miriam Makeba, Joe Mafella, Kippie Moketzee and Abdulla Ibraheim. "During my school days we formed a jazz group, and we always had our performances there," remembers Rose Phila Mboniswa, a 51 year old schoolteacher with the Kliptown Our Town Trust. "The Sans Souci meant everything to me. It was never dull when the Sans Souci existed."

Throughout its existence the Sans Souci was the place to meet new friends, and participate by either watching or strutting talent on stage. Audiences were treated to beauty pageants, meetings about electricity, the Black women's council, town meetings about crime, school fundraisers every Tuesday and Friday post 1976, and movies such as Cry Freedom, Sarafina and the ultimate escapist films such as Jackie Chan, 007 pictures and cowboy westerns.

"We saw a lot of people from all sides," explains 18 year old Kliptown resident Mondli Bonkke. "That was nice. I used to meet people from all over Soweto. You don't know!" 16 year old Zelma Jones agrees. "I saw many different people with different languages there: Zulus, Xhosas, Venda, Chinese. Everyone was welcomed at Sans Souci.“

"It was a mixed community, you see,” says Norman Martin, 48 years old. “You had Chinese, Indian, Zulu and we didn't see each other in that way. That was nice. It was a vibrant community. Until of course it changed."

If "everybody met everybody at the Sans Souci" it was partly because the theatre was basically the only recreation centre for miles. "It was a cinema and a recreational centre," explains 30 year old resident Gloria Mboniswa.

Many residents detailed walking from distant locations from greater Soweto, leaving home with a group of friends at 10 in the morning in anticipation of a 2pm matinee.
For all but two residents interviewed, (both under 14 years old), the idea of rebuilding the Sans Souci in Kliptown was an exciting prospect and one that brought perceptions of economic improvement, greater job opportunities, access to a cultural life, education, community unity, less crime and increased youth participation in civic life.

"It will bring back memories and it will also reduce crime," says 23 year old James Jonson. "It will create job opportunities and we will get back our old cinema."

Former usher Sipho Jaho (38 years old) lost his job when the cinema closed. He says, "let's build the place and we'll see how the community will come back."

"And you shouldn't change the name," adds 38 year old Philip. "Keep the same name."

"The thing I can say is that the San Souci was the place to be,” reminisces 23 year old Lebo Melato. “I want it to look like it used to."