Soweto Tourist Traps

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Shebeens of Soweto, before 1995. 1976
are as notable as those of Sophiatown,
evem Kliptown had a few

but the modern ones are good as ones
linguistic skills

what is a shebeen of the past
a home converted or the patio covered
with tough talking Mama
serving castle beer, klipdrift brandy or gordons gin
of course there is lion
and oce Kronenbrau until yhry proved to be too hot
a seller for SAB, who then bought out Louis Luyt's company
'fishing' tales galore

not only hooch flowed,
but 78rpms. then 33 1/3 then casttes and finally cd.s
were the source of music, jazz. soul. blues and now Kwaito

from these hallowed social points,
the many artist too emerged
whilst many were influenced in early days of Polly St sudio
under Cecil skotness
>>
that will be the linocuts
and pencil drawings
in the art
i personally felt the real African feelings from deep down
did not show up in the paintings

being awau from the places whre it and is still happening
i can now only use my recollections
and what i saw and experienced with
my limited use of words

having spent Youth day, 30 years after
to remember Hector Pieterson and other demonstrating Soweto studentas
in the comfort of an African-Asian's apartment block functions room
with other S Africna diaspora members
of all hues of the rainbow
nostalgia reigns

and duty calls me as an early elderly to get the oral historis donto the 010101
ww for all and posterity to see
shall i succeed for my and other posterities' sake

Unique Suggestions: get into a real non toursitc shebeen and eatery
travel with a local resident, not a registred travel / tourst guide
enjoy the mabience,
at local rand prices
not $s or Euros

be brave and adventurous