Soweto is a township with over 1.3 million people - about one third of Johannesburg's population. Much like SoHo in New York indicates the area is located "South of Houston", Soweto is an abbreviated name for South Western Township. This large township has many different neighborhoods - townships within a township. A township is an area that the black people were moved into during Apartheid. Soweto was originally designated for black people working in the mines and those working in white households. All 11 of South Africa's official languages can be heard on the streets of Soweto. Like any small town, there are areas of upper and middle class. Winnie Mandela still lives on a quite street up on a hill. There are also areas of horrible poverty, with people living in shacks without running water.
Slum area of Soweto
Dormitory housing built for migrant workers during Apartheid - now converted to housing for families
We visited a hawker market in Walter Sisulu Square where anything can be purchased from clothing to furniture. We saw two guys carrying a mattress and box spring leaving the market, about 15 minutes later we saw them resting on the side of the road. I'm impressed they made it as far as they did before they needed a break!
Walter Sisulu Sqaure is the location that the Congress of the People met to draw up the Freedom Charter. In 1955 the ANC sent 50,000 volunteers out into the townships to gather up "Freedom Demands" from the black people of South Africa. The result of this was the Freedom Charter - 10 principles to give all people in South Africa equal rights. Some of them are basic rights like "All Shall Be Equal Before the Law", some seem to have their roots in Communist thinking "The Land Shall Be Shared Among Those That Work It", and some are inspirational "The Doors of Learning and Of Culture Shall Be Opened".
There is also a tribute to the residents of Soweto that lined up to vote in the South Africa General Election which saw Nelson Mandela elected as President. It was the first election that non-white people were allowed to vote in.
Tribute to those that waited in line for hours to vote
Actual line of individuals waiting in line to vote.
Tribute made out of sheet metal to acknowledge the many South Africans living in slums housing made out of tin
We visited Nelson Mandela's house in Soweto that he initially lived in with his first wife. He and Winnie lived there when they were not being held in prison. Once he was released from his life sentence and let out of prison, he lived in this same small house (less than 1000 sq feet) for 13 days until they realized this would not be safe for the future President of South Africa. He was moved to a more secure location and never returned to live in his home in Soweto.
1956 was the 40th Anniversary of the Women's march. We have quite a ways to go in the US!
Letter from the State of Michigan demanding that President George Bush formally apologize to Nelson Mandela for the CIA's role in the arrest of Nelson Mandela for treason. (He didn't)
We visited Constitution Hill where there was a large prison for many years until it was closed for overcrowding. We learned of the different standards given to blacks, whites and colored people. White people received sheets, a pillow and 2 blankets. Black people received only 2 blankets. There were terrible inequalities in the diets of the prisoners as well. Many political prisoners were held here including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Ghandi. Ghandi was in prison here for 7 months.
Guard tower at prison
The 27 rights from the Bill of Rights is written on the doors to the Constitutional Court in the 11 official languages of South Africa
The Flame of Democracy is housed in one of the former prison guard towers
The Constitutional Court building is a contrast of old and new with brick used from the old prison. The judge's desk are covered in cow hide and the South African flag was hand made out of beads by South African women
We ended the day at the Top of Africa with beautiful views of the city. This 50 story building is the tallest building in all of Africa.
It was a beautiful day for a tour of the area. I learned so much about South Africa and its people. I even picked up a little light reading for my flight home.
Until my next dispatch from Jo'burg. Totsiens and mooi loop!
We were given the option to go bunge jumping between the towers - we declined
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