So, where to? Soweto , of course! The biggest and most populous of all townships in South Africa is now buzzing with a new spirit of celebrating the unique culture, heritage and history of struggle.
Just 25 kilometres south-west of one of Africa’s buzzing, vibrating cities, Johannesburg, lies sprawled the matchbox houses, the mansions and other structures that make up Soweto Township.
Intimidating from a distance, but venture into the heart of this mass of people, and experience the warm hospitality of urban South Africa. No wonder hundreds of people from all corners of the globe make the trip there daily.
They are lured by the unique, heartwarming hospitality and vibrant spirit of a people with an unquenchable zest for life, and the lessons Soweto has to offer in the history of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid.
Soweto, which celebrated its centenary last year (2004) boasts a number of important historical sites, shebeens, restaurants and bed and breakfasts that offer visitors the opportunity to experience the true spirit of ekasi, the township.
Struggle History
What better place to start a Soweto tour than Vilakazi Street in Orlando West. This street has the unique honour of being the only street in the world that was once home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners. The world respected statesman Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Mpilo Desmond Tutu once lived in this very street. Today, Mandela’s former home is a national museum, The Nelson Mandela Museum.
The Nelson Mandela Museum: a visit to the museum offers the rare opportunity of learning about Mandela the family man, to see his bedroom and to see the very furniture he used back in the 50s when he shared this home with his former wife Winnie Mandela.
A memorial to the valor of Soweto’s youth, The Hector Pieterson Heritage Museum stands a short distance away from Mandela’s house. Experienced curators such as Antoinette Sithole, a survivor of the 1976 uprising take visitors down memory lane on guided tours of the museum. Antoinette is the sister to Hector Pieterson who appears on the famous photograph that has come to symbolize the uprising, and she has a first-hand account of that day’s events.
To complete this trip down Soweto’s history, a visit to the home of the struggle, the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Rockville offers insights into countless protest meetings and funeral services of activists that characterized life in Soweto after the 1976 uprising.
Homegrown Hospitality
Soweto is not all history and struggle. After a long day touring these heritage sites, experience the warmth and hospitality of Soweto at a range of fine restaurants dotted around the sprawling township.
Wandies in Dube has become the stopover of choice for tourists, offering the best that South Africa has to offer in traditional cuisine. Wandie, himself is an institution in this part of the world – and is a recognized ambassador for Soweto.
Down the road from Mandela’s house, Sakhumzi’s restaurant offers visitors a taste of Soweto cuisine. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch of idombolo (dumpling), mopani worms, morogo (boiled green vegetables), pap and other uniquely South African delicacies out in the garden while absorbing the Soweto sunshine, just like Mandela did in his day.
Sowetans like to party, long and hard. If you want to experience this spirit of a people celebrating life, take a trip to such places as The Rock in Pimville and quench your thirst Soweto style.
Spend the Night
You don’t have to drive back to the city after this all day touring and eating and jiving, why not stay over in one of Soweto’s bed and breakfasts? It’s an experience unique only to this part of the world. A few choice B&B’s include:
- Neo's B & B
- Thuto's Bed and Breakfast
- Dakalo Bed and Breakfast
- Vhavenda Hills Bed and Breakfast
- Zizwe Guesthouse
- E khaya Guesthouse
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