Location: Soweto
Top Things to do in Soweto
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Top 9 Things to do in Soweto, South Africa
An acronym for South Western Townships, Soweto was dubbed as such in 1963. The area began in the late 19th century as a temporary neighborhood for gold mine workers, then later became a black Johannesburg ghetto with forced apartheid settlement. In 1976, Soweto garnered international headlines with its deadly uprising against Afrikaans-only language education. The Mandela Family Museum and the recently restored Credo Mutwa Village (with its Zulu and Sotho homesteads) are two can't-miss sights.
Restaurants in Soweto
1. Hector Pieterson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 418 reviews
This tragic museum, opened in 2002, honors the Sowetan schoolchildren slain in a police massacre in 1976.
Reviewed By Stevethearchitect - Benfleet, United Kingdom
Students protested about having to be taught in Afrikaans. Police thought shooting 600+ school kids was an appropriate response when they felt threatened. Madness.
It was not busy, but very sobering. You owe it to those kids to visit, if its only for a few minutes.
2. Hector Pieterson Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
The 1976 photograph of slain thirteen-year old Hector Pieterson, carried by a friend while his grieving sister runs alongside, is a chilling reminder that South African was changed thereafter.
Reviewed By CJW913 - De Pere, Wisconsin
Paying tribute to the victims of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, and particularly to 14-year old Hector Pieterson, who became the international symbol of Apartheid oppression and youth resistance, this memorial is a powerful indictment of man's inexcusable cruelty.
The memorial itself is a paved area with benches for reflection, an inscribed stone and simple water, and small granite blocks in the museum courtyard that pay tribute to the 350 children who died during this violent time. Simple, but powerful.
3. Vilakazi Street
Overall Ratings
4 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By sandra n - Lemont, Illinois
" Welcome to Soweto " and the first stopping point was the street called "Vilakazi". Our tour bus let us out and that's the best way to experience Soweto, with all the realness of a genuine neighborhood where people go about their daily routines, but you have to walk and talk and take in this experience with all there is offered. There is history, and there is the present, and when you leave here, you think about their future. I found our visit here very interesting and I did enjoy the experience, so far from home. As I write this, I am still thinking about that visit. It helped me to grow in knowledge and have compassion and to be thankful for all that travel allows. I hope you have the opportunity to experience Soweto.
4. Regina Mundi
Overall Ratings
4 based on 71 reviews
Reviewed By ericon991 - ontario
This church figures very highly in the history of Soweto and South Africa. This is where the students who were being pursued by the police were able to find safety.
5. Credo Mutwa Cultural Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By chicasperditatas - Toronto
The Credo Mutwa Cultural Village is in Soweto and well worth a stop while seeing Nelson Mandela's house. Credo Mutwa is a Zulu traditional healer and artist.
Although he no longer lives there, the site contains reconstructions of traditional Zulu homes as well as his large sculptures depicting legends and prophecies. Unfortunately, there has been some vandalism and a lack of funds to properly maintain the site. However, it is still an interesting place to walk around, especially with a guide who can explain the significance of the art. It is not a large site so an hour is more than enough time.
Credo Mutwa has made some interesting predictions over the decades. Of particular note is the painting inside one of the buildings done in the 1980's by Credo Mutwa depicting his prophecy of 9/11 with an airplane flying into 2 skyscrapers and much fire. I found it quite eerie.
I believe this place is also known as the Oppenheimer Community Centre, named after the adjacent housing project.
6. Wozobona Cultural House
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
The community always stood as one and ubuntu was alive and real. Wozobona Cultural House is dedicated to the memory of those times and honours all the heroes of that time. The complete tour includes a township meal, a tour detailing the life during the struggle and wonderful true stories from that time. Have a look at the museum display and listen to the soothing and unique music of the time.
Reviewed By NafNaf09111 - New Delhi, India
My visit to Wozobona was my second trip to Soweto but my first really getting into the neighborhood and seeing how people really live. I was welcomed by the whole family and felt genuinely welcomed, with traditional music and big smiles. The musicians were lovely and engaging, and the food was absolutely huge portions of deliciousness! Highly recommended for someone who wants to see how South African homes looked, smelled and felt just a few decades ago. If you're taking Uber to the location, be prepared for the pin to be in the wrong location - and give a call to get directly to get to the exact address.
7. Walter Sisulu square
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By gdpope - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Went on an afternoon of tour of Soweto and this was the first main stop. Huge open plaza celebrating the Constitution of the new South Africa. Moving monuments which need time to reflect upon stand next to open spaces, vegetable market serving the local population and sellers of crafts and souvenirs
What's strange is the scale of the place in an area of huge deprivation
Certainly worth the visit
8. Soweto Theatre
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
9. Rosa Parks Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Ockert M - Pretoria, South Africa
The skills development programs conducting in the Rosa Parks library include training in photography, videography, graphic design, web design and software and app coding, and helping high school students with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) topics. And it is a vibrant library.
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