Soweto is a well-known township not only in South Africa but throughout the world. They may not be there but they have probably heard about it. It is a township of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation for South Western Townships. It is mostly populated by the black race. It has become one of the must-visit places in South Africa.
When people hear the word Soweto they think of history, after all the place is known for its historical background of Apartheid that occurs in 1948 that separated different racial groups in South Africa but today all the history of South Africa can be learned in different Museums that are found in Soweto. Soweto is dominated by historical museums.
Discover What you can do in Soweto
Mandela House:
Once you in the township of Soweto visit the Mandela House that is located in Orlando West, Vilakazi Street. Today the Mandela House is a national museum, Former first black president of South Africa used to live in this house from the year 1946 to 1962.
The house was later donated to the Soweto Heritage Trust by Nelson Mandela the first black President.
The house was donated on the 1st of September 1997 to run as a museum and got declared as a National Heritage site in 1999.
Hector Pieterson Museum
The Hector Pieterson Memorial and museum opened in Soweto in 2002, not far from the spot where 12 year-old Hector was shot on the 16 June 1976 during the Soweto uprising that today is a symbol of resistance to the brutality of the apartheid government.
While you still in Orlando west go visit Hector Pieterson Museum at Khumalo Street. The large museum in Orlando West which is two blocks away from where Hector Pieterson was shot and killed on the 16th of June 1976 during school protest.
The museum was named after him the museum features films, newspapers, and photographs.
This museum was opened on the 16th of June 2002.
Soweto Towers
Take a break and do something exciting at Orlando east Soweto Towers. There is a variety of adventure activities to do there such as Bungee jumping which is the most popular activity.
Are you not scared of heights? Try the zip lining, rock climbing, and rap jumping. These towers were once a coal-fired power station until construction began in 1935 and got completed in 1955, it was transformed from power station to entertainment and business center in 2008.
Shisa Nyama restaurant
While you still in the Soweto Towers get yourself food at the Shisa Nyama restaurant called Chef Pozi it offers different types of food. The restaurant hosts well known and up-coming local musicians and DJs.
A person who likes art would like to visit a cultural village and see beautiful collections of sculptures that were constructed by Credo Mutwa the storyteller, an author of books and a traditional healer.
Visit Jabavu where you will find a cultural village called Credo Mutwa Cultural Village. It is a cultural museum that has exhibitions of sculptures and buildings created by African artists and traditional healer Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa. The sculptures were used by him to convey important personal and political messages.
Before ending your tour experience the real SA cuisine at Wandie’s Place in Dube were you get to eat traditional meals. The place was an illegal shebeen during apartheid.
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