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| Soweto Township |
South Africa's townships are infused with the spirit of ubuntu, which means: ‘I am, because we are’. A term for neighborliness, and a proudly South African humanist philosophy, it is a wisdom widely embraced by all South Africans today. Take a township tour and experience the spirit of togetherness and unity among its people.
Welcome to the real South Africa. The townships of South Africa are the
place where the heart of the nation beats.
While the plusher surburbs have more of a polished venner, and may serve
up more in a way of consumer conveniences, it’s the townships in South Africa
where you discover the emotional connection, the conviviality and the sense of friendship that underpins South Africa’s working class.
The townships in South Africa were designed as fortresses of apartheid
control, a malicious and deliberate use of urban planning to alienate
communities.
Post-apartheid, shacks are being replaced by government subsidised
houses, hostels are being carved up into proper family quarters, roads are
continuously being tarred, and basic services are slowly being installed.
Don’t visit South African townships on your own steam. Often road signs
are absent and maps can be confusing, so we advise you to consult professional tour companies that specialise in township tours, including transport to and
from the townships.
Townships in Johannesburg such as Soweto and Alexandra are the country’s
most famous and historically rich townships, and Pretoria’s townships such as
Mamelodi and Soshanguve are both jazz strongholds. Not forgetting Cape Town’s
townships like Khayelitsha and Langa where the late Brenda Fassies, the country’s queen of pop was born.
Go on a tavern crawl, where you can dance till breathless to the tune of jazzy African rhythms and imbibe traditional Zulu tipple, sorghum home-brewed beer. Try chisa’nyama, meat braid or cooked over an open fire on an outside pavement.
TRAVEL TIPS
AND PLANNING INFO
How to get here
Townships adjoin every major South Africa city
and town. Township tour operators are most available in all the major cities
and will collect you from your hotel or guesthouse.
Tours to do
Numerous city-based tour operators
offer township tours. Take your pick
Get around
Take a township tour with an accredited tour guide. Tour guides normally
reside in the township, so you’re in good hands.
What it will cost
Depending on the distance of the township and length of tour, you’ll pay
up to about R650 per person for a half-day tour.
Length of stay
A full day or half day, township tours are tailor-made to your
requirements.
What to pack
Walking shoes, a hat and confortable clothing and please avoid too much
jewellery.
Where to stay
Large townships like Soweto near Johannesburg
have clean and safe B&Bs and backpackers, but most visitors prefer to
return to their city-base hotels.
What to eat
There is different African food and there is also Western food on offer.
Pictures from: Mount Zion Tours
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| Apartheid Museum |
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| Mandela House in Soweto |
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| Township Hostel |
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| Shack Houses in Township |
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| South African Culture |
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