Why a South African Township Tour is a Must

South Africa is a large country with an extensive history, filled with a wide range of cultural diversity. The country is home to picturesque bush wildlife, making it a popular destination for safari goers, and its vibrant urban life offers an array of cultural activities and sights. If Soul of Africa Travel has helped design your itinerary to include a visit to this diverse and beautiful country is in your Africa travel plans—along with the safari tours and city visits, of course—be sure to add a township tour into your itinerary.

South African townships are underdeveloped urban communities usually located on the outskirts of towns or cities. They were established in the late nineteenth century, specifically reserved for non-whites up until the end of the Apartheid Era, which forced segregation between whites and non-whites. Today, many of the townships house low income residents, and proper services like water and electricity; others, however, have received more funding and appear much more livable. Often, these townships face other problems as well, including poverty and limited resources. Having been built under unfortunate conditions and holding a somewhat sad history, why should townships be tourist destinations?

Townships are a significant part of South African culture and history, and a tour is one of the best ways to experience the country through the perspective of native South Africans. In addition to the cultural awakening you are sure to gain from seeing these urban areas, many township tours give directly back to the community, so your experience helps to improve the living conditions among many township citizens. Make sure to ask your SOAT representative about setting up a tour for you and your travel companions!

Townships accompany most large South African cities, so wherever you choose to stay in South Africa, there is sure to be a nearby township that offers tours. The cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth are home to South Africa’s largest townships. Below is a list of the townships, and what you can expect from visiting each of them.

Soweto (Johannesburg): During the late 19th century, the desire to discover gold and diamonds in the nearby mines prompted many South African blacks to immigrate to villages surrounding Johannesburg. A township tour of Soweto, South Africa’s most populous township, will explain the history of this migration, and how it became the center of black urban culture that it is today. Some of Soweto’s most well known historical tourist attractions include:

• The Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial • The Nelson Mandela Museum • Golf Reef City • The Orlando Towers

• The Apartheid Museum • Various markets featuring local-made arts and crafts • Many outstanding restaurants (especially on Vilikazi Street)Mitchell’s Plain/Gugulethu (Cape Town)—In the 1970’s, Mitchell’s Plain was built for non- white South Africans as a result of the Group Areas Act. There are many community projects in progression throughout Mitchell’s Plain that aim to improve the living conditions of the township inhabitants, which tourists can experience on their tours. Some of the most popular attractions in or nearby the Cape Town townships include:

• Rondevlei Nature Reserve • Wolfgat Nature Reserve • The Liberty Promenade shopping centre • District Six Museum • Table Mountain cable car tour • Gugulethu Seven Memorial

Ulmazi/Inanda (Durban)—Durban townships carry a Zulu heritage, so you can expect to be immersed in the heart of Zulu culture, rich with art, music, and dancing. Durban townships also have a strong connection to Indian civil rights leader Mahatma Ghandi, so a significant part of Durban township tours explain the history of Ghandi’s presence in South Africa and the change he inspired during Apartheid. Your township tour will likely include visits to the following:

• Max’s Lifestyle tavern and nightclub • Mahatma Gandhi Settlement • Inanda Heritage Route • Zulu Heritage Trail

New Brighton (Port Elizabeth)—Port Elizabeth townships are home to many indigenous Xhosa people. British colonialism had a large influence on the development of the city, which is the main focus of the township tours here. On your tour of Port Elizabeth’s New Brighton, you will be immersed in the tradition and culture of this urban township. The following destinations are very popular among locals and tourists alike:

• Lunga’s General Jazz Club • New Brighton Library • Red Location Apartheid Museum • Aya’s Ceramic Studio

While a township tour may not yet have made its way into your travel itinerary, it deserves some serious consideration. Missing out on one of South Africa’s township tours means missing out on the endless amount of rich culture and historic tradition that fills these vibrant communities. Township tours are an insightful and potentially life-changing experience that will offer you an unforgettable South African experience. Our representatives at SOAT would be happy to incorporate at least one township tour it into your safari itinerary to further enrich your visit to this fascinating continent.