Soweto and Apartheid Museum Tour Details
Soweto origins go back to 1905 when, using an outbreak of disease in the part of town now known as Newtown as an excuse, the then Johannesburg City Council took the opportunity of moving the black residents of this area to a place 20km south west of Johannesburg. After the National Party took power in 1948, it instituted the Group Areas Act and forcibly moved black population groups out of inner Johannesburg areas, such as Sophiatown, to Soweto, a name derived in 1963 from the acronym South West Townships. Today the city of Soweto has more than 2 million inhabitants.
Previously under-resourced, it still has large areas of dire poverty but it also now has shopping malls; parks and recreation facilities; many restaurants and B&BS; the newly opened Soweto theatre; and Vista University campus which is part of the University of Johannesburg.
Duration: 7-8 hours
- Availability: Daily, except on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, and Christmas Day
- Inclusions: Entrance fees, bottled water, driver/ guide, hotel pickup, and drop-off
- Departure Time: 8:00 AM
- Return Time: 3:00 PM
Additional Experiences
- Vilakazi Street: Explore the vibrant street where Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived. You’ll get a glimpse into Soweto’s rich culture and history.
- Bara Taxi Rank: Witness the bustling transportation network of Soweto and experience the daily rhythm of the township.
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital: Visit the largest hospital in South Africa, a landmark that stands as a testament to the township’s spirit of resilience.
Highlights
- Apartheid Museum: A powerful institution showcasing South Africa's history of racial segregation. The museum features 22 exhibitions, personal accounts, multimedia installations, and historical artifacts that bring the apartheid era to life.
- Nelson Mandela House: Visit the iconic home of Nelson Mandela, now a museum showcasing his life and struggles. You'll get a glimpse into Mandela's early life and the simplicity in which he lived.
- Hector Pieterson Memorial: A poignant tribute to the young student who was tragically shot during the Soweto Uprising of 1976. The memorial and museum offer a crucial perspective on this pivotal event in South Africa's history.