Soweto

SIGHTSEEING, SOWETO Created :

Sumedha Bharpilania

Sumedha has travelled across 28 countries, including a major chunk of India, and calls Japan, Thailand, France and Switzerland her pet destinations. She is seasoned in going off the beaten track and loves documenting her journeys. Apart from getting lost in metropolises, being stranded at airports and finding solace in the hills, she actively writes for eminent travel platforms. You can follow her trips on her social media handles.

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Soweto or the South Western Township is one of the most important settlements in Johannesburg and has the most dynamic street life you will ever get to witness. It has a deep connection with gold mines and was one of the prominent names in the struggle against Apartheid. There are significant historical sights like Kliptown’s Walter Sisulu Square where the Freedom Charter of South Africa was ratified in 1955. Then there is Vilakazi Street which housed the former residences of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. The site of Soweto Uprising of 1976, i.e., the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum is an iconic address as it embodies the change that student protests can bring about. The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, which also happens to be the largest hospital in the world, is also a part of Soweto and so is the FNB Stadium (Soccer City). If adventure speaks to your soul, you can go bungee jumping from the top of the colourful and distinctive Orlando Towers.

Jazz is the soul of Soweto and street performances and community centre gigs are a daily occurrence. Certain restaurants and bars attract the who’s who of the city while others welcome the squalor. No trip to Jo’burg is complete without a tour of Soweto and it is wise to hire a guide for the same.
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