Soweto is an incredible township and I have to say - head there and see it!! Not only is it one of the most famous townships in South Africa but it has a lot of history and more importantly things to see and do. Top 5s are difficult but I'm going to try! I've had to narrow it down but here goes...
1. Spend a night with a local family:
Staying with a local family was an undoubted highlight of my Soweto experience, I stayed with a local lady called Rachel with her daughter and son in her home in Orlando East in Soweto. It was a real chance to see the raw lifestyle in Soweto. It's a basic existence. At night making dinner and watching TV are the only things to really do indoors for Rachel.
2. Visit Nelson Mandela's House:
It is completely essential that you make a trip to Nelson Mandela's former house while staying in Soweto - you'd be an absolute fool to miss it. His former house at 8115 Vilakazi Street is now a fantastic museum. You can walk all around it and read quotes and stories from the man himself. You can get your photo taken in every room in his former house. Best of all is it's a small house - very basic - yet this man was a genius and changed the world. There's an entry charge but it's definitely worth paying!!
3. Visit a Shebeen:
No stay in Soweto is complete without visiting a local Shebeen! I'm going to tell you to just ask local people and find your own, as they don't really have names! But make sure you try the Joburg Beer with the locals. It comes in a tub (like an over-sized milk tub) and is pink in colour and you share it round a table. I visited two shebeens in Soweto - one was in a hut, the other was basically someone's house that they welcome you just sitting there having a beer with them. The locals are so friendly and they really welcome people to their culture.
4. Do A Bicycle Tour:
Another top thing to do in Soweto is a bicycle tour - it means you can get to places not easily covered on foot or in a car. You can visit different parts of the township on the same day and meet locals. Soweto Backpackers have a recommended bicycle tour which is also listed in a lot of travel books and sites. You'll also have a tour guide who explains everything to you at points on your cycle through this historic township.
5. Hector Pieterson Museum:
The Hector Pieterson Museum is useful and insightful to understand the history of Soweto and particularly the Soweto Uprising in 1976. This museum sits on well maintained streets with tributes in the place where Hector Pieterson was once shot dead. It's a good place to get to grips with the local story. This is definitely in my top 5 things to do while staying in Soweto!
In truth Soweto is just an amazing place to visit and these are only a very quick top 5 things to see and do.
1. Spend a night with a local family:
Staying with a local family was an undoubted highlight of my Soweto experience, I stayed with a local lady called Rachel with her daughter and son in her home in Orlando East in Soweto. It was a real chance to see the raw lifestyle in Soweto. It's a basic existence. At night making dinner and watching TV are the only things to really do indoors for Rachel.
2. Visit Nelson Mandela's House:
It is completely essential that you make a trip to Nelson Mandela's former house while staying in Soweto - you'd be an absolute fool to miss it. His former house at 8115 Vilakazi Street is now a fantastic museum. You can walk all around it and read quotes and stories from the man himself. You can get your photo taken in every room in his former house. Best of all is it's a small house - very basic - yet this man was a genius and changed the world. There's an entry charge but it's definitely worth paying!!
3. Visit a Shebeen:
No stay in Soweto is complete without visiting a local Shebeen! I'm going to tell you to just ask local people and find your own, as they don't really have names! But make sure you try the Joburg Beer with the locals. It comes in a tub (like an over-sized milk tub) and is pink in colour and you share it round a table. I visited two shebeens in Soweto - one was in a hut, the other was basically someone's house that they welcome you just sitting there having a beer with them. The locals are so friendly and they really welcome people to their culture.
4. Do A Bicycle Tour:
Another top thing to do in Soweto is a bicycle tour - it means you can get to places not easily covered on foot or in a car. You can visit different parts of the township on the same day and meet locals. Soweto Backpackers have a recommended bicycle tour which is also listed in a lot of travel books and sites. You'll also have a tour guide who explains everything to you at points on your cycle through this historic township.
5. Hector Pieterson Museum:
The Hector Pieterson Museum is useful and insightful to understand the history of Soweto and particularly the Soweto Uprising in 1976. This museum sits on well maintained streets with tributes in the place where Hector Pieterson was once shot dead. It's a good place to get to grips with the local story. This is definitely in my top 5 things to do while staying in Soweto!
In truth Soweto is just an amazing place to visit and these are only a very quick top 5 things to see and do.
About the Author:
To read more features such as Top 5 Things To Do In Soweto then visit Jonny Blair's recommended travel, work and lifestyle site called Dont Stop Living for ongoing travel stories and tips.