'''Soweto''' [http://www.soweto.co.za/] is located in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Understand
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital [http://www.chrishanibaragwanathhospital.co.za] is the largest hospital in the world with over 3000 beds.}}
The name '''Soweto''' was first used in 1963 to describe the groups of townships to the south west of Johannesburg, and it is an acronym for South Western Townships. These townships were originally established after an outbreak of bubonic plague in the inner city slums of Johannesburg in 1904, but under the apartheid government many black South Africans were forcefully relocated from the city and its suburbs to Soweto and other townships.
Get in
Get around
It is best to visit Soweto as part of an official tour group by a SATSA [http://www.satsa.co.za] accredited tour guide.
A number of tour operators are available:
Imbizo Tours [http://www.imbizotours.co.za/]. Tel:''+27'' (0)11 838-2667.
Simkile [http://www.simkile.co.za/tours-soweto-south-africa.html]. Tel:''+27'' (0)11 608-2640.
Soweto By Nite [http://www.sowetobynite.co.za]. Tel:''+27'' (0)82 748 1588.
Soweto.co.za [http://www.soweto.co.za]. Tel:''+27'' (0)11 326 1700.
See
Credo Mutwa Village. orner Ntsane and Majoeng streets, Central Western Jabavu. 27 (0)11 930-1813. 27 (0)83 693-2003. pen daily from 6AM to 6PM. Restored Zulu and Sotho villages
Hector Pietersen Museum. 288 Maseko Street, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 536-0611. pen 10AM to 5PM Mon to Sat and 10AM to 4PM on Sun. Try to allow at least an hour here. Great bookshop inside.
Mandela Family Museum. 115 Ngakane Street, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 936-7754. pen 9:30AM to 5PM daily.
Regina Mundi Church. 149 Khumalo Street, Moroka. 27 (0)11 986-2546. The people's parliament.
Do
Walk through '''Baragwanath Taxi''' rank area and eat some "Runnaways" ( chicken feet )with the locals or try some "Smily's" ( Sheeps head )
Visit a real '''''Shebeen''''' (drinking place), not just the touristy places
Buy
Maponya Mall. ld Potchefstroom Road, Klipspruit. New mall (''opened 20 September 2007'') with 200 stored, cinemas and restaurants.
Eat
B's Place. 541 Shuenane Street, Orlando East. 27 (0)11 935-4015.
Sakhumzi Restaurant. ttp://www.sakhumzi.co.za/. ine@sakhumzi.co.za. 980 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 536-1379. 27 (0)83 337-6925. 27 (0)11 939-4427.
Wandies. ttp://www.wandies.co.za/. nfo@wandies.co.za. 18 Makhalamele Street, Dube. 27 (0)11 982-2796. Offers some of the best indigenous South African menus, including ''Mogodu'' (tripe) and ''pap''. Put you business card on the wall with those of many visitors before.
Drink
The Back Room. hop 20, Pimville Square Shopping Center, Modjadji Str. 27 (0)11 938-9388.
The Rock. 987 Vundla Drive, Rockville. 27 (0)11 986-8182. ttp://therock.co.za. Night club and restaurant
Sleep
Botle Guest House. 48 Monyane St, Dube. 27 (0)11 982-1872 . 27 (0)11 286-9010.
Dakalo Bed and Breakfast. aavbb@myconnection.co.za. 963 Inhlwathi St, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 936-9328. 27 (0)82 723-0585. 27 (0)11 935-4380.
Ekhaya Guesthouse . ibiti@spoornet.co.za. 027 Bacela St, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 939-2850. 27 (0)83 472-9390.
Lolo's Guesthouse . olosbb@mweb.co.za. 320 Diepkloof Ext. 27 (0)11 985-9183. 27 (0)82 332-2460. 27 (0)11 528-0498.
Vhavhenda Hills. aavbb@myconnection.co.za. 1749 Mampuru St, Orlando West. 27 (0)11 936-0411. 27 (0)82 213-1630. 27 (0)11 936-0411.
Stay safe
By and large Soweto is a pretty safe place for tourists to visit. It is not the easiest place to drive around in by yourself so if you are going to stay there overnight get the B and B owner to meet you on one of the main roads and follow them in or get a transfer in. If you are going to do a tour, go with one of the registered tour companies ( See above or contact SATSA ). Try to make sure that the tour company is using a local Soweto/Johannesburg guide. It makes for better insight to the place and its history.
Contact