Soweto: Soaking Up South Africa's History

A safari in South Africa often begins or ends in Johannesburg — and no visit is complete without Soweto, the township whose name is synonymous with the country's journey from apartheid to democracy. A guided tour here is among the most moving experiences in South African travel.

A place of history

It was in Soweto, in June 1976, that the student-led Soweto Uprising became a turning point in the struggle against apartheid; the death of 13-year-old Hector Pieterson became its enduring symbol. Soweto was also home to Nelson Mandela, and remains a vibrant, living community.

What to see

• The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum — telling the story of the uprising.
• Mandela House — Nelson Mandela's family home on Vilakazi Street, the only street to have housed two Nobel laureates.
• Regina Mundi Church — a sanctuary during the struggle years.
• The community today — its food, music and warmth, best experienced with a local guide.

Travel with Swain

Swain Destinations arranges expertly guided Soweto and Johannesburg experiences as part of tailor-made South Africa journeys.