Day 13: Tuesday 10 July

Soweto

Soweto, a sprawling metropolis, is one of the most famous settlements in Africa, where the history of South Africa was written on the streets, in the schools and the shebeens. This diverse and patriotic community led the war for justice and freedom during the late 1970's. Today Soweto is a living monument of the history of political struggle along with the hopes and aspirations of a dynamic and multi-cultural community facing the challenges of transformation. Soweto includes the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, the Oppenheimer Tower, the Hector Peterson Memorial, the former home of Nelson Mandela, Wandi's Place, the Cappuccino Shop and Freedom Square

The June 1976 student uprisings transpired in Soweto, sparking a wave of coordinated resistance to apartheid country-wide. Soweto became one of the most evocative words of the 20th century, as the quintessential symbol of the struggle for democracy in South Africa.

Remarkable and fascinating for the visitor, Soweto, is one of the top 20 tourism destinations in the country and is also one of the stars in the Gauteng crown of a ‘twelve star destination’. Soweto certainly is the cultural heart of the province. No first-time visitor should leave Gauteng without visiting Soweto!

Soweto House

House of Mercy charity centre

Regina Mundi. On June 16, 1976, student riots erupted in the township, and the unrest spread nationwide.

Photo exhibition

Mandela home at soweto: Soweto is now, I'm told, the fourth most popular tourist attraction in South Africa. There are several million people living here--not sure of the exact number. Winnie, now the ex-Mrs. Mandela, lives in Soweto still, not far from the residence of Bishop Desmond Tutu. Her other house, the one she shared for such a short time with Nelson Mandela, is now a museum. Mr. Mandela, upon his release from prison, wanted it to be converted into an orphanage. But Winnie went with the museum idea, for which visitors are charged a small fee.

Inside, there are pictures of Winnie and her former husband. Their matrimonial bed is here still, covered with a duvet made from animal skins, as well as other mementoes from their life together.

Many, if not most, of the residents now own their own homes here. Mandela saw to that by proclaiming that anyone who'd rented a house from the government for 22 years was de facto the legitimate owner, outright.

St. Matthew's high school and primary, including media centre

Soi Thai restaurant