Understanding Soweto half-day tour
Anyone visiting Johannesburg must certainly visit Soweto at least once. The Southwestern Township has a legendary reputation for the way its people resisted apartheid, especially during the 1976 Youth Uprising. Today Soweto is a mesmerizing and thriving part of Joburg, yet it is still fighting the all-to-clear legacy of Apartheid.
This tour takes in the captivating Hector Pieterson Museum, the lively Vilakazi Street where two Nobel Peace Prize winners once lived, the Mandela House Museum and Regina Mundi Church. Guests do not only learn about the past, but get to enjoy the energetic and friendly ambience of Soweto – a place that has evolved significantly since the end of Apartheid. A place that has become a beacon of hope for South Africa’s emerging middleclass.
While this tour deals with the overwhelming, shocking, and somewhat dispiriting struggle against the injustices of Apartheid, it also leaves you inspired by what the people of Soweto has overcome.
As is the case with all LocalPlaces tours, what sets this tour apart from the plethora of other Soweto tours on offer in the tourism space, is our mesmerizing and captivating storytelling. You will learn how apartheid came into being, how the concept of a township evolved, how Soweto grew as part of the Apartheid migrant-labour system, how the youth with modern-day aspirations rose up in 1976 and how Apartheid was eventually overcome. And you will stand in awe at how the once dusty streets of Soweto have evolved since then, with locals and tourists mingling in Vilakazi Street, revelling in South Africa’s freedom.
This half-day tour typically runs from 9am-1:30pm. It allows for a bit of shopping, people interaction and a drink or quick bite too.
9:00 Pick-up at hotel
9:40 Hector Pieterson Memorial
We visit the poignant memorial and museum commemorating the Soweto Uprising of 1976.
10:30 Depart
10:45 Vilakazi Street and Mandela House Museum
We visit the museum that was once the home of Nelson and Winnie Mandela, before briefly exploring Vilakazi Street, Soweto’s most famous street where two Nobel Peace laureates once lived. There is time for a quick drink at any one of the many famous restaurants or shebeens along the street.
11:45 Depart
12:00 Regina Mundi Church
A brief visit to the famous Catholic Church where many students took refuge during the 1976 uprising.
12:30 Depart
12:45 Orlando Towers
We meander through Soweto and stop for a great vantage point of Orlando Towers – today an adventure sports centre but once the power station cooling towers of Soweto (we do not enter the premises but simply marvel at the towers and the views along the way).
13:00 Depart
13:30 Drop off at hotel
RATES:
Only available as a private tour, 7-days a week, subject to availability.
We charge separately for guiding and for transport:
The minimum guiding charge is R2850 for up to 3 guests or R950 per person if you are more than 3 guests.
The minimum transport charge is R2600 in total for up to 3 guests. We will quote for transport for groups of more than 3 guests.
Any food, drink or museum entrance fees for the customer’s account on the day.
The above fees exclude museum entrance fees which is for the customers own account on the day:
Hector Pieterson Museum: R80 per person
Mandela House Museum: R180 per person
Regina Mundi Church (including local guide): R65 per person
- Best is to make it a full day by combining the Understanding Soweto tour in the afternoon with an Understanding Johannesburg tour in the morning. You can then enjoy lunch in Soweto between the two tours. Or we can customise a full day experience by doing Soweto in the morning, followed by lunch and a visit to Constitution Hill or where ever else you prefer in the afternoon.
BOOK NOW:
To book your tour, send an email to gerald@localplaces.co.za or a WhatsApp to +27 82 894 5216
Please do not phone as we are mostly busy hosting guests.
Send a message and we will contact you as soon as is possible.
We will respond to your booking request and provide an online payment link for you to pay by bank card to secure the booking.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Guests participate in all LocalPlaces tours at their own risk. Neither LocalPlaces, nor its guides, accept any responsibility whatsoever for any injury, accident or death that may occur while participating in a LocalPlaces tour, whether in a public or a private space.
A tour booking is only secured upon payment.
Provisional bookings will automatically be cancelled if not paid within 48 hours from making a booking.
Bookings cannot be cancelled once paid for any reason whatsoever and no refunds will be offered for cancelled bookings.
Bookings can be postponed to another date if postponed more than 30 days in advance of the booked date. However, bookings cannot be postponed for any reason whatsoever within 30 days of the tour date, as we would lose the opportunity to take another booking for that slot.
STARTING POINT
For driving tours pick up and drop off from your hotel or accommodation (one address) is included as long as it is within the northern suburbs of the city or at the airport.
