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Strolling Through Soweto Township

Soweto Boy South Africa
Young Rapper Shows Off His Skills
Johannesburg, South Africa

Once home to Nelson Mandela, Soweto Township is a fascinating urban settlement on the outskirts of Johannesburg with much history and culture.

Last month I spent an afternoon visiting Orlando township in the Soweto district of Jozi. To help celebrate Nelson Mandela Day, here are some photos of the people and art you can find in his old neighborhood.

Orlando was once a hotspot for anti-apartheid demonstrations in the 1970’s and 80’s. The Soweto Uprising and subsequent police shootouts against protesters spread the movement across the country, helping to pave the way for a new unified South Africa.

Nelson Mandela lived in Soweto for many years before his 27 year imprisonment on Robben Island, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu also lived in the neighborhood. That’s two Nobel Prize laureates who called this area home!

Mandela’s old house on Vilakazi Street is now a popular museum.

Soweto itself is huge, with a population of over 1.3 million. It initially sprang up during the Witwatersrand Gold Rush to house black mine workers who were forbidden from living in the city center due to South Africa’s strict segregation policies at the time.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” ~ NELSON MANDELA

Mandela Mural Soweto
Nelson Mandela Mural
Streets of Soweto Township
Busy Intersection in Soweto
“Pretty” Waits for Her Bus
Orlando Towers Soweto
Colorful Orlando Cooling Towers
Barber Shop Soweto
Street-side Barber Shop
Small Shop in Soweto
Convenience Store in Soweto
Kids Play in Soweto
Kids Playing Outside
Street Art Soweto
Elephant Street Art
Street Vendor Soweto
“Simba The Lion” and His Awesome Hair

Have you ever been surprised with local hospitality when traveling? Do you have questions? Drop me a message in the comments below!

Travel Planning Resources For South Africa

Packing Guide

Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.

Book Your Flight

Find cheap flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to find deals on airlines. Also make sure to read how I find the cheapest flights.

Rent A Car

Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.

Book Accommodation

Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read more about how I book cheap hotels online.

Protect Your Trip

Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.

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Strolling Through Soweto Township! More at ExpertVagabond.com
Strolling Through Soweto Township! More at ExpertVagabond.com

READ MORE SOUTH AFRICA TRAVEL TIPS

I hope you enjoyed my guide to Soweto Township! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few more wanderlust-inducing articles that I recommend you read next:

  • Scuba Diving At Protea Banks
  • Cage Diving With Great White Sharks
  • Rafting South Africa’s Orange River

Disclaimer: My trip was made possible in partnership with iAmbassador and South Africa Tourism.

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