Soweto Travel Guide

 
by Yumipyon
  •   Things to Do
    by Yumipyon
  •   Soweto
    by hannette
  • Nelson Mandela's former house
      Nelson Mandela's former house
    by hannette
  •   Soweto
    by hannette
  •   Soweto
    by littlebush

Pro

Jenniflower profile photo

 Great community feel generally 


Con

wanderingtheglobe profile photo

 none 


In a nutshell

kenHuocj profile photo

 The neglected outskirt City south on Joburg that is polars APART from Sandton 

 

Explore Soweto

Things to Do  

Soweto tour

Soweto tour, Soweto

 Yumipyon Says:  We had a wonderful day with a very friendly and informative guide, Pat from Soweto Tour. ( other tour company name is Themba tour ). I know maybe we could hire a car and just do our own trip, but since we are not sure if it's safe or not, and we had on only very limited... 

The Mandela house

The Mandela house, Soweto

 Rusket Says:  This is the house where Nelson Mandela and his ex wife Winnie lived before and after his long imprisonment. Mandela has donated the house to the people as a museum, but his ex does not agree, thus the gate was closed with a chain and a padlock when we were there :-( In two... 

Loads

Loads, Soweto

 littlebush Says:  Theres more in Soweto than Jo'burg i reckonTheres Vilakazi street which has Nelson Mandellas house where he lived before going to jailTheres the Hector Peirterson memorial and trailAll with so much historyThere Kliptown with Sisulu square of dedicationAnd Kliptown itself is... 

Nelson Mandela House - Mandela Family Museum

Nelson Mandela House - Mandela Family Museum, Soweto

 Airpunk Says:  Nelson Mandelas home where he lived until his imprisonment in 1962 and also for a very short period in 1990 after being released from prison. The house is located on the corssing of Ngakane Street / Vilakazi Street in Orlando West, Soweto. The house is right in the middle of... 

Hector Pieterson Museum

Hector Pieterson Museum, Soweto

 Airpunk Says:  Although the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg has a very touching and impressive exhibition, it was this museum in Soweto that had the biggest impact on me. The museum is also apout the dark era called Apartheid which dominated South Africa’s history in the 20th century. But... 

Regina Mundi Church

Regina Mundi Church, Soweto

 Airpunk Says:  Why would you visit an ugly 1960s building when there’s Nelson Mandela’s house and the Hector Pieterson Museum nearby? That’s what you may ask yourself when you stand in front of the Catholic Regina Mundi Church (meaning “Queen of the World”). This church was a gathering... 

Restaurants  

Nambitha: A Taste of Soweto: More Than Just The Food

Nambitha: A Taste of Soweto: More Than Just The Food, Soweto

 glabah Says:  I visited on November 20, 2006.There is a wide range of food at this facility, with a wide range of prices. Prices range from an omlette at 19 Rand to a Beef Espetada at 76 Rand. Outside the restaurant, there are both open air tables and a covered patio area. Smoking is... 

Wandies Pub and Bistro: a must stop meal

Wandies Pub and Bistro: a must stop meal, Soweto

 kenHuocj Says:  very much touristy,but it is a compulsary stop for most tour operators Mgudu & Putu ~ tripe stew and polenta 

Nightlife  

The Rock: Bars buzzin
littlebush profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

littlebush 1039 reviews

A new made friends took us around in their cars all over Soweto

I dont know the names of most of them

Some have licencing issues so you can buy at a bottle shop and take in

We ended up in The Rock, one of the most famous bars, especially on a sunday, its in rockville suburb
it was packed
a beer was 18 rand but everyone again was just so so friendly and we were the only whites in there

Thanks to Tebogo our friend!

a great experience!

Written Jul 9, 2010

Was this review helpful?

Transportation  

Taxi to Joburg and back!

Taxi to Joburg and back!, Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  Thousands of people who live in Soweto have the commute into central Johannesburg every day. Many also go into the suburbs, for domestic work, or other work, getting there in a taxi jam-packed with people. I have ridden in them many times myself and some of the experiences... 

Taxi to Soweto :)

Taxi to Soweto :), Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  You will probably visit Soweto in a tour group, so will be on an air conditioned bus.Your other choice will be by car, and a good place to rent from is www.europcar.com. We use them often when on holiday here and they are inexpensive and professional.You will see taxi’s... 

Local Customs  

South African heritage
Jenniflower profile photo

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Jenniflower 1567 reviews
3 more images

World renowned and yet not known by so many South Africans. Ignorant on their part? I would venture to say 'yes'.

Many fear it and millions live in it.

The bad history and riotist past has been sensationalised and the good people and community and ongoing development is underplayed.

A place filled with culture, history, intrigue, sorrow, blood and tears, love and care.

A fundamental part of the heritage of South Africa!

Written Jun 21, 2007

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Historical Travel
 Festivals

Was this review helpful?

Warnings and Dangers  

Hair raising taxi rides? Not all!

Hair raising taxi rides? Not all!, Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  I had some hair raising experiences when I wondered where the driver had bought his licence, but I have had far more good experiences, they are friendly and drive fine, albeit too fast and stopping anywhere they like, which can often be very dangerous.My husband once saw a... 

Be alert when walking/driving in Soweto

Be alert when walking/driving in Soweto, Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  Some parts are not safe and it is a maze in many parts. Unfortunately, as unemployment is so high here, petty (and worse) crime are rampant in many parts of Soweto, and tourists are seen as easy prey.The majority of people living here, even though they might live in squalor... 

Tourist Traps  

Not all gloomy and muggers
kenHuocj profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

kenHuocj 569 reviews
san nhlengwetha  artnet.com
2 more images

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

Written Jun 17, 2006

Related to:
 Beer Tasting

Was this review helpful?

What to Pack  

knowledge, streetwise skills ~ SHAAPH
kenHuocj profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

kenHuocj 569 reviews

Luggage and bags: forget the Louis Vuttons, be a pleb

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: dress down, be smart and not look like overwealthy,
but still look elegant
it's treading the fine line

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Condowms if you want the explore carnally and sexually
UV cream, wet wipes,
liquid refreshments. natural or laced with 14% or 40 proof

Photo Equipment: digital cameraS, batteries, memory cards

Miscellaneous: Tsotsitaal - Tsotsis or gangsters spoke tsotsitaal which was a mixture of Afrikaans and English, but also borrowed heavily from American slang. It eventually became the language of African working class culture and was spoken b most urban workers.

Gangsterism

Gang ~ rash

Outfjit ~ Van watter outfijt is djy? (Which gang do you belong to?)

Gangster ~outie


Motsie ~ Ai, he's a kak motsie (Ag, he's a *** gangster)

Police and the law

Police ~ gatas / jaapies / sament-baadjies / ginger-cakes
Prison ~ mang
Hy's in di mang in (he's been arrested)
vier Hy's in die vier in (He's in Johannesburg Fort Prison No. 4 awaiting trial)

Shebeens

Drink ~ koek
Brandy ~ mahok Ek koek net mahok (I only drink brandy)
Beers ~ bee-ahs
Whisky ~ wieskie

Drinkers
koekers Hy's 'n kak koeker (He's a heavy drinker)

Ordering drinks
`normal ~ Tchee my bietjie koek daa! (Give me a drink!)

a gangster with a lot of money
~Ek se, Sis Fats, fill the table and count the empties; dan sal ons betaal!

Written Jun 17, 2006

Related to:
 Historical Travel

Was this review helpful?

Off The Beaten Path  

Artful Powerplant Cooling Towers

Artful Powerplant Cooling Towers, Soweto

 glabah Says:  Not so very long ago, Soweto was an area that the powerful people of South Africa pretty much ignored. It was a source of cheap labor and that was all.Thus, the location of a large coal fired power plant in the community, the smoke of which was terrible and caused many... 

from a two room shack to a palatial mansion

from a two room shack  to a palatial mansion, Soweto

 kenHuocj Says:  they come in all sizes and shapes,many are identical,gracefully since the late 80s and early 90srenovations and additiosn are taking placesadly the dormitary Status of Status of Soweto lingers 

Favorites  

A South African Ghost Story

A South African Ghost Story, Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  This true story happened in Soweto.A man was hitchiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm. The night was rolling by and there was hardly a car on the road. The storm was so strong that he could hardly see his feet in front of him. Suddenly a car came towards him... 

Nelson Mandela ~ who is he?

Nelson Mandela ~ who is he?, Soweto

 Jenniflower Says:  He was born in the Transkei on 18 July, 1918. His first name, 'Rolihlahla' is interpreted as 'troublemaker'. The Nelson was added later, by a primary school teacher of his... Mandela's boyhood was peaceful until the death of his father landed him in the care of a powerful... 

Comments

Map of Soweto