7 Things to do in Soweto

Soweto, an abbreviation for South Western Townships, offers visitors everything from adrenaline-pumping activities to traditional cuisine and, of course, museums brimming with potent history.

Soweto Tours typically include visits to Mandela House, Constitution Hill, and the Apartheid Museum. No visit to Soweto can go by without noticing the landmark of Soweto, the Orlando Towers, that consists of two massive cooling towers with brightly drawn exteriors. Adrenaline junkies can even take the opportunity to bungee-jump or free-fall from them.

A local guide will share knowledge of important sites and during a Soweto tour you can get a glimpse into life in Soweto, meet some of the locals, have a drink at a shebeen and stop for a bite to eat. Seven exciting things to expect on Soweto tours include:

Wandering down the famous Vilakazi Street

The most well-known street in Orlando West is Vilakazi Street. Former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both lived on this street, making it the only street in the world to have housed two Nobel Peace Prize winners. You can see public art, memorials, go souvenir shopping, and, of course, go to the Nelson Mandela House museum at 8115 Vilakazi Street. The museum is dedicated to assisting South Africa in moving forward after its repressive history, and the Constitutional Court is built on the site of a previous political jail, where you can explore the remains and learn more about the numerous political prisoners who were wrongfully imprisoned here.

Exploring Kliptown

Kliptown is a must-see in Johannesburg because it was here in 1955 that 3000 people gathered to write The Freedom Charter, a statement of core values that served as the foundation for South Africa’s liberal constitution. The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication is also located here, and it is filled with various shops, galleries, and traders.

Visiting the Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial

The Hector Pieterson Memorial was built on Khumalo Road in Soweto, not far from where Pieterson, a young Soweto boy, was shot during the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976. The Museum and Memorial first opened its doors in 2002.

Over 500 youths were killed on this day, which is now known as Youth Day in South Africa, and the iconic image of Hector Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student is known all over the world.

Visiting the Rosa Parks Library

Rosa Parks was dubbed “the first lady of civil rights” after she was expected to give up her seat to a white person in Alabama, USA, in 1955 and refused. Her arrest triggered the Bus Boycott, which lasted 13 months. Given the racial strife in South Africa, the oppressed applauded her actions and this library was later built in her honour.

Enjoying some traditional South African cuisine

Soweto is brimming with the best places to sample authentic South African cuisine. The breweries uBuntu Kraal and Soweto Brewing Company are ideal for sampling local beers, while Vuyos is a lively restaurant in the heart of Soweto. Try the slow-cooked and crispy Mogodu (tripe), followed by a traditional malva pudding.

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Attending a performance at the Soweto Theatre

The Soweto Theatre, located at the intersection of Bolani Link and Bolani Rd in Jabulani, Soweto, hosts a variety of productions ranging from Soweto Fashion Week to musical performances and works by well-known playwrights such as Athol Fugard. The theatre is recognised as an iconic South African building, with three performance venues and striking architecture.

Check out the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Credo Mutwa was a traditional healer and Zulu artist, and the combined museum and exhibition space at 991 Bochabela St, Jabavu, displays sculptures created by him between 1974 and 1986. Mutwa’s artworks comment on African traditions and how they are juxtaposed with Western civilisation.

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