Soweto

Soweto (South Western Townships) is more than a township—it's the symbol of the fight against apartheid and the cultural soul of South Africa. Over 1 million people lived here under the inhumane conditions of racial segregation, the student uprising began here in 1976, and Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu lived here—in the same street!

Highlights

• Vilakazi Street: The only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived: Nelson Mandela (No. 8115) and Desmond Tutu. The Mandela House Museum (26 ZAR) showcases the modest house where Mandela lived with Winnie before his arrest in 1962. Bullet holes in the facade testify to attacks.
• Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum: On June 16, 1976, police shot 12-year-old Hector Pieterson during the student uprising against Afrikaans as the language of instruction. The iconic photo of the dying boy went around the world and became a symbol of resistance. The museum vividly tells the story of the uprising. 40 ZAR.
• Orlando Towers: The former cooling towers of a power plant, painted with colorful murals, are now an adventure center: bungee jumping between the towers (500 ZAR), climbing, abseiling. Surreal and typically Joburg.
• Soweto Bicycle Tour: By bike through the various neighborhoods—from the poorest shantytowns to the upscale districts with villas. The contrast is shocking and eye-opening. Lebo's Soweto Backpackers, from 450 ZAR (23€).