Price from: R620.00pp
Duration: 4 Hours
Experience this exciting and eco-friendly tour around the streets of Soweto. Go out for a half day cycling adventure around the township and get to know the different communities and its history. Go to places such as a former migrant workers hostel for men. Here you will be introduced to the culture and life today by our local site guide.
Visit Meadowlands, famous for the forced removals from the vibrant and racially mixed Sophiatown in the 1950's.
Cycle through historical landmarks of the 1976 student uprisings and visit the memorial site of Hector Pieterson.
You will also cycle down Vilakazi Street where Nelson Mandela used to live and where Bishop Desmond Tutu has his home.
You will have the opportunity to see the various parts of Soweto, how some communities are still in need of development and poverty alleviation and how some areas have turned in to "small affluent suburbs".
This tour gives you insight about Soweto's many different faces, the Soweto uprisings and the resistance against Apartheid. You will also see and learn how the communities have changed and developed to what it is today.
LUNCH INCLUDED:
Both the 2 hours and 4 hours tour includes lunch which is either served after the tour – 10am slot – or before the tour – 1:00 pm slot. Lunch is served at our “Outdoor Restaurant” with seating in the community park. The meal is a delicious African stew cooked the traditional way – over the fire – served with the popular staple - Pap (maize porridge).
Start at Lebo's Soweto Backpackers and get to the first stop which is a look out point of Orlando West and East. View the surroundings of the township including the famous soccer team Orlando Pirates home-ground - Orlando Stadium while the guide takes you through the history of Soweto as well as current developments and life today. Learn one of the many greetings to interact with people along the way!
Our next stop is at Mzhimhlope Men's hostel - a former migrant workers hostel. The guide will take you through how mostly men from around the country moved in to Johannesburg and its townships to work in the gold mines, the conditions these men lived in and how the area has now transformed to a community part of Soweto. In this area, many are still practicing many of the African customs and traditions which you will learn more about.
The tour continues to the vibrant community of Meadowlands famous for the forced removals from Sophiatown in Johannesburg in the 1950’s. At this stop the guide will take you through the history how people were forced removed and segregated.
We continue from here to cruise our way along the small streets of the township, stopping at street stalls selling popular township snacks, fruit and “ice lollies”.
The tour thereafter stops by one of Soweto’s few “mansions” owned by jazz musician Abigail Khubeka who used to perform with “Mama Africa” – Miriam Makeba. Hear the guide singing a few of her tunes and sing along if you know them!
The tour continues to the Hector Pieterson Memorial commemorating the student’s uprisings on 16 June 1976. Walk through the memorial site to view the monuments as well as the iconic picture of the young learner Hector Pieterson, shot and killed by police as they opened fire on hundreds of students peacefully demonstrating against the Apartheid regime and its education system.
After getting on our bicycles again the tour proceeds to the only street in the world which has been home to two Nobel Peace Prize winners – Nelson Mandela and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. Stop outside their homes to learn more about their lives and their contribution to the struggle.
We then cycle in to the little suburb called “Beverly Hills of Soweto”. If you have the energy you can hop off the bike and climb up a little hill for a great view over Soweto and even be able to peak in to Mama Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s house.
From here we make our way back to Lebo’s to chill and relax!
Same as pick up point.
Same as pick up point.
You need to have cycled before.
For those who feel a little uncertain on their cycling skills we have tandem bicycles to offer.
Please note that if you are a group booking and someone can not cycle we can provide a Tuk Tuk (see details under the Tuk Tuk tours section) to go alongside the tour. Subject to availability and terms and conditions apply!
