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Soweto
The World’s most Famous Township
Few places in the world can tell you so much about a continent’s and a country’s history like Soweto does. Few places in South Africa are a true reflection of modern day South African society, like Soweto is. This is why South WEstern TOwnship is the world’s most famous township. And this is why a visit to this special corner of the world will enrich your travel experience and give you a personal and up close encounter with South Africa and its people.
Soweto – acronym for South Western Township, (located South West of Johannesburg) emerged just after 1900 as a racially segregated area re-locating an emerging black labour force for white companies, especially the gold-mining industries. Johannesburg “Egoli”, the city of gold, attracted South African’s from all corners of the country, the vast majority of Black African people settled in Soweto. Besides accommodating the working class, Soweto was also home to anti-Apartheid political activists such as Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe.
Thus, Soweto became a home to political philosophers and has produced some of South Africa’s greatest leaders.
In the 1970’s Soweto was the home of the Black Consciousness Movement lead by Steve Biko. On 16 June 1976 Soweto was on the world’s headlines when police opened fire on marching students. Soweto started a fire that lit the country alight and led to the downfall of the Apartheid regime.
Today Soweto is the beacon for the new South Africa, a symbol of resistance to overcome repression and exploitation. The fore runner to what is happening in Johannesburg and South Africa.
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