Tag: walking tours

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Soweto tour

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This post seemed to post without the images loaded properly so I wanted to re post with some more information.

Whilst in Johannesburg last year I took a tour of Soweto. And what a day it was.

If you want to go the same tour please contact TKD Tours – TK works with local schools and international communities to help get school children from local villages the uniforms they need to go to school. He is very knowledgeable about the area as he grew up here and is willing to share all of his stories – not to mention he gave a tour of Kliptown to Prince Charles and Camilla.

Moving on, so TK took me for lunch in Soweto at Sakhumsi which is a traditional african buffet type places. I was able to try all sorts of food, and have a local beer as well. It was just down the road from where Nelson Mandela lived and therefore easy for tourists passing through. It does get quite busy there but they turn the food over quickly so you know you are getting fresh food.

TK drove me all round Soweto showing me every corner I could ever want to see and more. He is a really lovely guy and I would recommend him to anyone and everyone. After walking round the main parts he took me for a walk around Kliptown.

Kliptown is a township within Soweto – it really showed me the “how the other half live”. I was really impressed with their resourcefulness, the kids seemed happy and were playing around in the streets. The houses were simple but the people were welcoming – although I have to say some of the children seemed confused seeing a white lady around – but always interesting interactions. TK helped to translate between me and the children and prompted their interactions. It was such a rewarding experience.

If you are in Cape Town or Johannesburg I really would recommend going to one of the townships to see how they live, interact with local people. It makes such a difference to a trip. I truly enjoyed it and found it really rewarding – talk to your tour operator about township tours.

Until next time. 🙂

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Apartheid to Freedom

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Free Walking tour Part 2.

Another worthwhile walking tour.

Starting in the same place as all the others – Motherland coffee opposite St George’s Cathedral. Green Umbrellas – they are hard to miss.

You go through the history of Apartheid, from its inception, the laws and how they progressed. To District Six, Mandela and its abolition. My guide was Kenneth, he really personalised the tour with stories from friends and family. It made the realities of what happened come to life. It was eye opening.

We started at St Georges Cathedral, moved on to the court house, where you can see the rules for Europeans and non Europeans, the benches of whites and non whites. Ken explained about the pen or pencil test: you were considered white (yes they had to determine your race, wasn’t just skin colour), if when a pen or pencil was put into your hair and you jumped up and down, it didn’t fall out. How humiliating. 7 categories of races were the initial list and then it soon become 11. Can you imagine having to go to a court house to determine your race nowadays? The thing is, it probably still happens in some places…

We walked through Company’s Garden and Cecil Rhodes was explained to us and the garden shed which is now a grand building. Walking through that to the edge of the old District Six. Also saw Parliament and walked back through town to the back corner of the City Hall. Nelson Mandela’s speech was explained as well.

What was an added bonus was that throughout the tour, Ken added in about places to eat and drink which was a bonus. One of these was Truth Coffee in District Six, just up the road from the Museum.

Truth Coffee is a coffee shop with a twist – it is steam punk themed. Everyone is wearing something steam punk-esque. You can get super detailed on your coffee going on the flavours of your coffee in order to choose your beans. How you take your coffee next.

Or you can just do what I did and order from the already created menu. I know boring but I am not massive coffee connoisseur.

District 6 Museum was a no brainer after a cold coffee and a sit down. It is R45 to get in. Be aware they do not take card for under R80. You can do self guided or a guided visit (surcharge for the guided visit). The boards are easy to follow, and there are so many images of the previous tenants and what the streets looked like before and after the demolition. For those that don’t know the story of District Six it is perfect. So many stories and memories shared in an accessible way. There is a small gift shop with books about District Six and the people that lived there.

A very exhausting afternoon – but so worthwhile. Walking tours – still recommended.