Vilakazi Street to Pimville: Landmarks Every Soweto Child Should Know
Soweto is one of the most historic places in Africa. Every child who grows up here should know the landmarks that tell its story. Here is a heritage tour to take with your family.
1. Vilakazi Street, Orlando West
The only street in the world where two Nobel Peace Prize winners lived: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The Mandela House museum shows where Madiba lived before his imprisonment.
2. Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum
A few blocks away, it honours the students of the 16 June 1976 uprising.
3. Regina Mundi Church, Rockville
Soweto’s largest Catholic church and a meeting place during the struggle. Marks from police raids can still be seen.
4. Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown
Where the Freedom Charter was adopted on 26 June 1955: “South Africa belongs to all who live in it.”
5. Pimville and Klipspruit
One of Soweto’s oldest areas, where Black residents were moved as early as 1904, and part of the Khwalo family’s own story.
6. Orlando Towers
The painted cooling towers of the old power station, now a symbol of modern Soweto.
7. FNB Stadium and Orlando Stadium
FNB Stadium hosted the 2010 World Cup final; Orlando Stadium is home to Orlando Pirates.
8. Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
One of the largest hospitals in the world, where countless Sowetans were born.
Make it a family day
Take the grandparents and let them tell their own stories at each stop. History is best learned where it happened.
Khwalo! Mzangwa! Ncuthu! Mlanjana!
