City of Gold
Soweto Overview
Soweto is a city within the city of Johannesburg, shaped by the discovery of gold and the diverse people who came from every corner of the earth in search of gold and job opportunities. Many people were also attracted by the opportunities that economic freedom brings.
What does the City of Gold Offer?
Over the centuries different groups of people have moved through Gauteng in search of fertile land, water and minerals.
Before 1886 the area that was to become Johannesburg was dominated by grassland, shrubs and small trees. Today the aerial photographs show a densely treed area and an urban forest that owes its existence to the discovery of gold.
In the south of Johannesburg, a small suburb of Soweto was born after the forced removal of black people from the cities to enforce an Apartheid policy called the group areas act.
Informal settlements mushroomed around Soweto as many black people came to Soweto to seek jobs in and around Johannesburg.
Soweto illustrates a story of the political struggle for democracy. History was made in this Apartheid era township and it has now transformed into an urban area.
Today Soweto boasts world class facilities like:
- Baragwanath Hospital
- The famous Vilakazi Street
- Orlando Towers
- Bed & breakfast accommodations
- Modern shebeen venues that offer a relaxed atmosphere with good food and music, theatres, nightclubs as well as historical museums like Mandela House and the Hector Pieterson Museum.
In 2003 visitor numbers for people participating in Soweto tours had increased by 20%, taking the total number of tourists to more than 200 000 for the year.
A Soweto tour has now become an obligatory stop for international tourists and residents alike.
