Close to
Johannesburg,
Soweto
- an acronym for
South Western Townships - is the most
populous black urban residential area and
also the most metropolitan. Its genesis lies
in the segregationist planning of South
Africa. Later it was also the hotbed of many
political campaigns and anti-apartheid
movements.
The streets of Soweto have also
given South Africa its political
personalities, including Nelson Mandela and
Desmond Tutu. Both these Nobel peace prize
laureates once lived in the famed Vilakazi
Street in Orlando West.
Attractions, Things to Do and See in
Soweto
An exciting
experience is the new Constitutional Hill
development incorporating the new
Constitutional Court and the historic
and notorious Johannesburg Fort, which was a
prison from 1913 until the 1980's. This
symbol of apartheid has now been creatively
incorporated into the new development
"blending the worst of the past into the
best of the future".
Journey to the old inner-city of
Johannesburg where the early mining "Randlords"
established their mining houses, many early
Johannesburg buildings survive and have
important historical connections. The inner
city remains the home of most of the major
banks and a number of regeneration projects
are underway. Newtown is an important
initiative to create a vibrant cultural
centre with new housing and commercial
components. Visit the site where the main
gold reef was discovered in 1886 and view an
original shaft and the exposed reef as well
as an early crushing mill.
Then it is onto Soweto - a "City within a
City", home to more than 3.5 million people.
Discover the connection with early
Johannesburg and experience the special
"township vibe". The visit takes in the
Baragwanath Hospital and the huge and
vibrant taxi rank, Africa in the raw. We
enjoy a beer with some of the locals at a
traditional house shebeen.
Visit the home of Nelson Mandela, now
a museum and the famous Vilakazi Street.
The Hector Pieterson Museum will give
you a real feel of the drama of June 1976,
when the students of Soweto took to the
streets to protest against apartheid. A
truly moving and educational experience!
A visit to the famous Regina Mundi church
a focal point of much of the struggle in the
70's and 80's will be exciting. The Black
Madonna and Child painting is housed here.
Soweto
Tours
The Soweto City
Council organizes Soweto tours on every
weekday morning from Carlton Center,
Johannesburg. You may attend the
Johannesburg-Soweto tour by making
reservation from Soweto Tourism Information
Office (Phone: 336-4961). There are also
travel agencies organizing the Soweto tours
from Johannesburg. |
