Soweto and the Apartheid Museum

Today's journey started with a bus tour of Jo-Burg. We got the opportunity to see both the very rich suburbs to the decaying urban city center. This experience was enlightening to observe and we could easily "classify" or "stereotype" the central city of Jo-burg as being similar to our experience in Durban. Nonetheless, this experience was profound in understanding the great divide that still exist in South Africa, very much based off of one's socio-economic status. However, it would be irresponsible if we did not mention the country's history of race relations as being another key factor in the economic divide between individuals in South Africa.

After touring Jo-Burg, we visited the famous township of Soweto, home to Nelson Mandela, Winnie Mandela, Desmond Tutu, to name a few and the place of a major 1976 protest against the apartheid government . While visiting Soweto we toured the homes of the very affluent and the homes of individuals who live in shacks and hostiles. This experience continues to re-affirm what we've experienced and thought about the townships in Cape Town, the need for economic empowerment, education, skills training, and housing. Following our tour of Soweto, we had lunch at a home, which has been converted into a restaurant. The food was of traditional South African cuisine, including pop, curry, rice, etc. While this meal was delightful, the importance of the visit to this home was to show us the growth of the informal job sector. This restaurant serves as the primary revenue stream for the home owner and her staff.

While in Soweto we had the opportunity to visit the Hector Pieterson's memorial. Hector was one of the first kids killed during the 1976 protest against the apartheid government. The protest was in response to the demand for all students to have Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. The protest was a significant milestone in South Africa's struggle for equality and the right to be treated like a human being. We ended the day at the apartheid museum. This museum documents the road to freedom and equality for black South Africans. This museum also document the untold story of women's activism during the struggle for equality. Th museum was profound and a critical site which should be viewed be anyone who visits South Africa.

Township of Soweto








Apartheid Museum