Soweto Tour - The Details

A min of 4 people are required to run this tour, should you have a smaller group than 4 and we cannot get more people on your tour date then a supplementary charge will apply.
Details will be provided upon enquiry.

Departure & Drop off Points:

Our standard tours depart from and return to the Rosebank Mall - located in Johannesburg Central-Northern Suburbs.
Pick up and drop off’s from alternate venue’s carry the following supplements. Rates as follows:
Areas within 15 minutes drive of Rosebank (e.g. Melville / Parkview / Greenside / Parkhurst / Illovo / Melrose / Sandton) - No additional charge
Pick up and drop off in areas outside the above may carry a once off fee of R 450.00
The Pick Up:Pick up at your hotel / venue in Johannesburg at approximately 09h30 in a luxury vehicle.

The Tour of Soweto

Enter Soweto via Soccer City
Head South of Johannesburg to the SOuth WEstern TOwnships, the first stop is outside the magnificent calabash designed Soccer City Stadium on the outskirts of Soweto, where the final of the 2010 Football World Cup was held

Diepkloof Extension, Hostel and Ekhukhanyeni Creche:
Head further into Soweto via the up-market area called Diepkloof Ext where some of the houses can cost in the millions. In complete contrast we visit a large hostel in the area, in days gone by the notorious hostel system was used as single gender accommodation for migrant labourers, it is now used as informal lodgings for family units. Guests will have a chance to step out and explore the hostel, as well as visit the Ekukhanyeni Crèche which is one of KDA Travel/ Soweto.co.za development projects. Sylvia, the teacher will introduce the children who will entertain the guests with some songs. Note - the creche is closed on weekends and over holidays.

Children at the Creche
Please note the crèche is unfortunately closed during school & public holidays and over weekends, but we will still show you the facility.

Soweto

Baragwanath:

Into the Baragwanath area and stop at the huge taxi rank for a walk about. The Baragwanath Taxi Rank is opposite the largest hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Here guests get to soak up the sites, sounds and "smells" of Africa at close quarters - informal open-air butcher shop, herbalists, barbers and market etc. For the brave take in a "Smilies’ breakfast" (the meat of a cow or sheep’s head).

Twin Towers in Soweto

Continue past the colourful Orlando Towers the most recognisable landmark in the area and pass through one of the original Soweto suburbs of Orlando East. Pass the upmarket Maponya Mall a great example of Soweto's modernisation.

Onto Orlando West which was a major focus point during the '76 student uprising. Visit the state of the art Hector Pieterson Museum which is a modern interactive museum depicting images and footage of the struggle. View the memorial which shows the famous Sam Nzima photograph.

Vilakazi Street & Mandela Visitors Centre

Continue to the famous Vilakazi Street, which is the only street in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived: Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu Visit the Mandela House and Visitors Centre which is filled with many interesting artefacts and memorabilia pertaining to South Africa's greatest icon.
Lunch:
A highlight of a visit to Soweto is a delicious lunch at one of the well run restaurants patronized by both tourists and locals alike, offering typical "township" cuisine. Desserts and drinks are not included.

Regina Mundi & Thokoza park:

Pop into the Regina Mundi Church, the largest Catholic Church in South Africa and home to the famous Black Madonna Painting. Regina Mundi was known informally as Soweto's parliament during the Apartheid era and formed a major focus of the struggle. Pass by Thokoza Park, a fantastic example of urban renewal and the greening of Soweto.

Kliptown Squatter Camp and the Kliptown Youth Project:

Continue to the area of Kliptown and stop off at the informal settlement where you will be shown around the poor shanty living conditions of this impoverished community. Meet Thulani Madondo, who runs the Kliptown Youth Project a project in which KDA Travel / Soweto.co.za is very much involved with. Thulani is an inspirational leader who was a finalist in the CNN heroes awards. See the amazing work being done to uplift education and social development amongst the youth from the area and give hope to the future generations coming from these unfortunate circumstances. If Thulani is not there one of his colleagues will show the group around the facility.Vlakhazi Street

Freedom Square:

On to nearby Freedom Square and the memorial which commemorates the signing of the Freedom Charter in the 50's, parts of which form part of South Africa's constitution today. Take a walk around the square and take in the interesting symbolic architecture. Pass by some new townhouse and modern flat complexes all set amongst older and much more informal dwellings giving a sense of a melting pot of complete extremes. In many ways Soweto is a microcosm of the entire country's diversity.

Shebeen visit:

Pop into a local vibrant shebeen / tavern to enjoy a drink or a round of pool with some of the locals.

Depart Soweto…