Soweto & Alex Craighall Park, Rosebank Region, Johannesburg

Although most of Soweto was built in the 1950s and 60s under the days of high Apartheid, the first people were moved to modern day Soweto in 1905 to what was then known as Klipspruit (modern day Pimville). The name Soweto, given in 1963, is an acronym for South Western Township. Soweto is now home to about 2 million people where housing ranges from informal settlements to standard Soweto 4 roomed houses, to up-market wealthy suburban homes.

There is a lot to do and see in Soweto. The Hector Pieterson Museum marks the Soweto uprising of 1976, while Mandela’s humble Soweto home in Vilikazi St has been transformed into a museum. Another famous site is Regina Mundi, Soweto’s largest Catholic Church which played a central role as a meeting place and a place of safety during the struggle years. Freedom Square at Kliptown, where the Freedon Charter was signed in 1955, has been redesigned (in a rather soulless and I think horrible urban redevelopment) and renamed Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication. There is lots to see in terms of street life – the taxi rank at Baragwanath is a hive of activity – and there are restaurants, shebeens, spaza shops as well as new shopping malls which have developed in the last few years. Tour guides will take you to these places and many of the guides run quite small tours so it possible to have quite tailor made tours.

• One of the best ways to see Soweto is on a cycling or tuk-tuk tour. Several of our guests have done so and have loved it. For rates click here or contact lebo@sowetobackpackers.com. Sadly Lebo died in early 2022 during COVID. An extraordinary entrepreneur his business continues to be run very efficiently and offers great local experiences. Located in Pooe Street in Orlando West, you will need to get there via Uber or ask Mr T here at Liz at Lancaster to take you. Phone 011 936 3444 to book.
• For tours with Peter Mashaba
• Abey Pheega is very flexible and will often take account of special requests +27 82 979 5589
• Run by the Joburg Red City Bus Tours, a minibus tour of Soweto leaves 3 times a day from Gold Reef City for a 2 hour tour with 6 stops along the way. You can get a combined Joburg and Soweto ticket. For rates and to book see click here

You can bungee jump in a 40m free fall from the cooling towers or try the swing between the towers. +27 (0)71 674-4343 or +27(0)12 345-5114 Then afterwards enjoy some shisa nyama (barbecued meat) and pap (maize porridge) at Chaf Pozi. Open Wednesdays to Fridays 11 till late, Saturday lunch and afternoon only and Sunday lunch to early evening. +27 11 463 8895.