Soweto Tour

Soweto Tour

Personal interaction,Bungee Jumping Landmark of Orlando Cooling Towers,

Soccer stadiums,Mandela and Desmond Tutu at Vilakazi street both Nobel peace prize awardees,Elephant Houses

Hector Pieterson, Freedom Square, Roman Catholic Church aka Regina Mundi and learn of their impact to liberation movement

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: FNB Stadium, Nasrec, Johannesburg South 2147, Johannesburg South Africa

The unique design of FNB Stadium is highly regarded internationally, and is often fondly referred to as the “Calabash” or “African Pot” after being reconstructed to the tune of R3.3 billion in time for the first ever African World Cup in 2010.

Previously known as Soccer City, the stadia has been the centre of historic events, starting with the first speech from former President Nelson Mandela in 1990, a few days after being released from prison where he served 27 years.

The venue has hosted the biggest sports and music events this country has ever seen, including the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup ™. The continental Africa Cup of Nations final in 2013 was also played at the stadium

87 436-seater is the largest venue in South Africa and the country’s proud global colossal

International rugby test clashes and the biggest global music superstars, including U2, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber have also featured here to record attendances.

FNB Stadium is, and has been, the go-to platform for other major events in the country, including the funeral of political activist Chris Hani in 1993 and the moving memorial service tribute to Mandela in 2013

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Diepkloof Park, 12257 Immink Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1864 South Africa

They are called “Rich Man’s Acre” by the residents because the stands here are bigger and intended as a more exclusive area...

others Call it DK

Diepkloof Extensions was built for middle to upper class

blacks (largely professionals employed by the state, but also privately employed professionals), which were offered 100% loans for the stand and the structure as part of the government housing scheme

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Diepkloof Park, 12257 Immink Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1864 South Africa

Diepkloof hostels in Soweto have been undergoing a major makeover under the City of Joburg’s multimillion-rand Soweto Hostel Redevelopment and Upgrading Programme.

the role hostels played in the political violence on the Reef from the time political violence erupted in July 1990 until December 1993.

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Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, 26 Chris Hani Rd, Diepkloof 319-Iq, Johannesburg, 1864, South Africa

The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is the 3rd largest hospital in the world, occupying around 173 acres (0.70 km2), with approximately 3'200 beds and about 6'760 staff members.

The facilities are housed in 429 buildings with a total surface area of 233'795 m2.

Approximately 70% of all admissions are emergencies, including approximately 160 victims of gunshot wounds per month.

Accident, emergency and ambulance represent the busiest services, counting over 350 daily patients. Every year, about 150'000 inpatient and 500'000 outpatient cases are registered.

The Department of Ophthalmology, the St John Eye Hospital, has 111 beds and counts about 50'000 patients per year.

Approximately 60'000 patients per year are treated in the Maternity Hospital.

The hospital is in the Soweto area of Johannesburg, South Africa. (Soweto was a separate municipality from 1983 to 2002, when it was amalgamated to the City of Johannesburg.)

It is one of the 40 Gauteng provincial hospitals, and is financed and run by the Gauteng Provincial Health Authorities.

It is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, along with the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.

This site's purpose is to make the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital easy to find and contact and to give the visitor the most important information about it (not managed by the government).

The Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital strives to:

Achieve the highest level of patient care based on sound scientific principles and administered with empathy and insight.

Train our work corps to be the best equipped and motivated to serve the sick and injured.

Maintain and defend truth, integrity and justice for all, at all times, to the benefit of patients, staff and the community.

CEO Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital: Dr Sandile Mfenyana

The History of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital

The story of Bara started soon after the discovery of gold on the Witwatersrand.

A young Cornish lad, John Albert Baragwanath, arrived on the gold fields to make his fortune. The surname "Baragwanath" was derived from the Welsh word "Bara", which means bread, and "gwanath" means wheat.

After trying a number of projects, John Albert started a refreshment post, one day's journey by ox wagon from Johannesburg, at the point where the road to Kimberly joined the road from Vereeniging. Here was good grazing and water. Soon he had a small hostel, "The Wayside Inn", established. However, to the transport drivers, and stagecoach passengers, it was "Baragwanath's Place"or just Baragwanath.

The Second World War brought many changes. As the five years of worldwide disruption and destruction unfolded, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth had to change rapidly from appeasement politics to war effort sacrifice. In South Africa the outbreak resulted in political upheaval, change of Government, and - Baragwanath Hospital.

In 1939 Britain, and the Empire, had large blacklogs in all services, including the provision of health care for military personnel.

By September 1940, with hostilities escalating, and with the need for hospital and convalescent facilities becoming urgent, the Secretary of State in London formally asked the South African Government if it would provide health care facilities for Imperial troops of Middle East Command. The British War Office suggested that 2 hospitals of 1'200 beds be built in South Africa, as well as a convalescent depot of 2'000 beds. After due consideration one of these hospitals was designated for Johannesburg. In November 1941 construction started on the ground bought from the Corner House mining group, at the 8th mile stone on the Potchefstroom road, - near the place where the old Wayside Inn had been situated.

The British Government ultimately paid 328'000 pounds for a hospital of 1'544 beds.

After experimenting with various names, it was finally agreed that this hospital would be "The Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath".

The situation internationally in 1941 and 1942 looked bleak for the Allies. There was thus real urgency to construct the hospital as quickly as possible. Within a remarkable 6 months the first patients could be admitted, in May 1942.

Stop At: Orlando Towers, Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa

The two cooling towers are a prominent landmark in Soweto. They were built in 1951 to supplement the spray pond cooling system as this source of cooling was running at its capacity

Being supplied by sewage effluent from the Klipspruit Sewage Works, the spray ponds at Orlando were the first in South Africa to make use of this ready supply of coolant liquid.

Both towers are painted, one functioning as an advertising billboard and the other containing the largest mural painting in South Africa.The towers are also used for bungee and BASE jumping from a platform between the top of the two towers as well as a bungee swing into one of the towers.

The tower was since used for a Fast Forward on the seventh season of The Amazing Race. Their task was for teams (Ray & Deana in particular) to walk across a suspension bridge 9 metres (30 ft) above the ground between the power station's towers. In the movie Chappie the power station is the headquarter of the protagonists, the two iconic cooling towers and the main building are decorated with typical Die Antwoord artwork

History

Planning for the construction of Orlando started in 1935, as the electricity demand of Johannesburg was rising faster than what could be met with the existing City Generating Station located in downtown Johannesburg. The location for the station was selected due to its proximity to water supply for coolant and railway lines for the delivery of coal. Construction started in 1939 with Merz & McLellan as consulting engineers, but completion was delayed due to the outbreak of the Second World War. The last phase of construction was completed in 1955. Until 1990 two Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST steam engines (Nos. 7805 Elizabeth and 7398 George) were used to move incoming coal trains through a wagon tipper at the power plant,The station was decommissioned in 1998 after 56 years of service.In 2006 work was started to transform the site of the power station into an entertainment and business centre.

On 25 June 2014, the decommissioned power plant collapsed killing 1 and trapping 5 others in the rubble

Duration: 20 minutes

Pass By: Maponya Mall, Chris Baragwanath Road Klipspruit, Soweto, Johannesburg 1809 South Africa

Maponya Mall is a shopping centre in Soweto, South Africa. The 65,000 square-metre development cost R650m to build and officially opened in September 2007. The mall is owned by South African entrepreneur and property developer, Richard Maponya

under The Maponya group in partnership with Investec and ZenProp property holdings.temogo.mohlatlole is the owners that place called maponya

The mall is named after Richard Maponya, the founder and president of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce, as well as proprietor of Maponya’s Supply Stores. Maponya acquired the land where the mall is situated in 1979, on a 100-year lease. In 1994, after several attempts, he acquired the property entirely. Various attempts to finance construction failed, until Maponya’s holding company entered into a joint venture with Zenprop Property Holdings.

Maponya Mall houses both local businesses and top national retailers, which have several flagship stores in the mall. Among the mall’s national retailers are Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Mr Price, Foschini, Clicks, Ackermans and Truworths. The mall also offers numerous dining options, including News Café, Panarottis, Wimpy, Nandos, KFC, Steers, Debonairs and Delhi Delicious and also has a Virgin Active gym.

officially opened on September 27, 2007 by former South African president Nelson Mandela. It is the first such shopping centre in Soweto and the first to be blacked-owned. With more than 200 stores and a cinema complex, it is also one of the largest shopping centres in South Africa and one of the growing Johannesburg attractions

Pass By: PIMVILLE METHODIST CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 2273 Motlhatswa Street, Pimville, Johannesburg, 1808, South Africa

Grace Bible Church had its beginning in the early 1980’s, after the former church was handed over to Bishop Mosa Sono in 1983.

In early 1982, Rhema Bible Church North under the leadership of Pastor Ray McCauley, commissioned a young couple Andra’e and Edana Knoetze to start a church in Soweto. The then mayor of Soweto Mr David Thebehali was instrumental in securing the Mavis Hall in White City Jabavu to be used for the church services.

As the church grew, there was a need to have more full-time workers and thus in 1982 Bishop Mosa Sono and the late Jerry Lechela were approached to be associate Pastors to Pastor Andra’e and Edana. What was unique about the church at that point was the voluntary service that was offered by several church members like Mrs Nonceba Mnguni, Mr Levy, Pastor Cebisa Dwaba, Mrs Jane Shuba and others. The preparation of the hall for the Sunday services was done the day before, with the setting out of 149 chairs, the Peavey Sound System, etc. The Sunday morning intercession which preceded the service was introduced at that point, and this has become one of the values the church embraces.

In mid-1983, Pastor Knoetze sensed a leading to move into field ministry and thus the signing of the handover of the church was done on the 1st September 1983. The church was then officially handed over to Bishop Mosa Sono on the 4th of September 1983. This became one of the “rough periods” for the church as the Mavis Hall venue agreement was unfortunately terminated and with the church having to relocate to a different venue, many members were lost and several key leaders left the church also.

Due to certain constraints to the use of the Rhema name, the church was instructed not to use the name any longer; and the financial support to the church was also withdrawn. In the midst of these challenges, the first service at the new venue, Isaacson Higher Primary School in Moroka on the 18th of September 1983 was marked by an evident tangible presence of God. The name Grace Bible Church was then adopted in 1984.

The church outgrew the facility at Isaacson Higher Primary School, and with the help of Mama Seokolo, secured the use of the church of the Holy Ghost building in 1984. That phase of the ministry was characterised by consolidating the church administratively and house No.8 in Rockville, Soweto (Mr and Mrs Sono’s garage) was used as an office. The Ministry of Helps (Volunteers Team) was expanded and trainings began. The first Ministry of Helps retreat was held on the 10th October 1984. The Financial Board was elected amongst whom were Mr Sono Snr, Mr Job, Mr Ngakane and others. Kenneth Makopo also joined as an associate Pastor.

At that stage the prayer activity intensified with prayer meetings on Saturday mornings, and Sunday afternoon services focusing on prayer.

In 1985 the church then relocated to Hlengiwe Secondary School due to rapid numerical growth. Youth meetings were introduced, youth camps, banquets etc. Leaders emerged amongst the young people. Focus on the family teachings were instituted and activities started growing. That year concluded with a first anniversary celebration at Eyethu Cinema.

As the church continued growing further, the board of the church then had to decide to move to a bigger venue. Jabavu Home Makers Festival Ground became the only alternative venue within the radius in which the church had circulated since its inception. The first service was held on the 1st of June 1986. It was in this same year that Pastor Kenny Makopo left to establish a church in Garankuwa. On the administrative side, the church moved its offices from House No.8 Rockville to Dube Shopping Complex. In that year we lost two of our youth leaders in an unfortunate and mysterious accident. At that stage the church went through many attacks – there were false rumours spread about the church and some of our member’s lives were threatened.

The move to Home Makers brought with it hard work and the need for resilience and toughness. From 1986 the church went through different seasons, more leaders emerged, the then young Bishop Mosa Sono got married to Pastor Gege Sono. The church started learning more about its social responsibility and thus established the Community Outreach Department and Missions Department. By God’s grace the church then moved into its self-financed facility in Pimville Zone 1 on the 28th October 2001.

To date, Grace Bible Church has grown from being a one campus ministry, and now has branches spread across South Africa and is willing to venture into new territories.

Stop At: Kliptown Flats, Klipspruit Valley Rd, Orlando West, Soweto, 1804, South Africa

The township of Kliptown was laid out in 1891 on a portion of the Klipspruit farm, named after the klipspruit (rocky stream) that runs through it. By 1903, an informal settlement of makeshift shacks had been established, and over the years Kliptown grew apace, with Indian, black and coloured families building homes in the area.

Although the area is very poor, the old-fashioned architecture of early Kliptown is still visible and many buildings bear blue plaques testifying to the prominent activists who once lived there.

Kliptown is most famously known as the site where more than 3 000 people attended what became known as the Congress of the People in 1955 to adopt the Freedom Charter, a document in which oppressed South Africans formulated ideas of a society free from apartheid. Despite a police blockade barring the area, people came from far and wide to see the Freedom Charter signed in June of 1955. On the second day of the congress police violently disrupted the meeting and many prominent activists were arrested.

This historically significant event is remembered in the small but worthwhile Kliptown Open Air Museum on Walter Sisulu Square.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Regina Mundi, 1 Mkhize Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1863 South Africa

Regina Mundi Catholic Church is located in the township of Soweto in the suburb of Moroka. The church forms part of the rich history of Soweto and is the largest Catholic church in South Africa – able to seat 2 000 people, with standing room for 5 000. The church played a major role in the struggle for freedom and is one of the historic tourist attractions in South Africa.

Regina Mundi is Latin for “Queen of the World” and is in reference to the Virgin Mary. The official opening of the church, on the July 24 1962, was presided over by Johannes Baptista Montini, a cardinal of Milan.

During the apartheid era the Regina Mundi church opened its doors to anti-apartheid groups and provided shelter to anti-apartheid activists. Because of the refuge it offered Regina Mundi is often referred to as ‘the people’s church’ or ‘the people’s cathedral’.

During the 1976 student uprisings in Soweto many protesting students fled to Regina Mundi to escape the police bullets and teargas canisters. The police followed the students into the church, firing live ammunition and damaging the marble altar and crucifix. These bullet holes can still be seen today.

The church played another important role in the mid 1990s when Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu presided over the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings from 1995 to 1998 which were held in the Regina Mundi church. In 1997 President Nelson Mandela named 30 November as “Regina Mundi Day” in honour of the church and the important role it played in the freedom struggle.

Today the church continues to play a vital role in the community and welcomes visitors from across the world. A popular tourist attraction in Gauteng, the church has also hosted prominent international guests such as Michelle Obama and is often the venue for concerts and recitals. Numerous artworks have been donated to the church and are displayed inside the building while in the grounds is a lovely garden with memorial stones donated by Japanese Christians.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Vilakazi Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1804 South Africa

The homes of two Nobel Peace Prize laureates – South Africa’s first democratically elected president, the late Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu – are found on Vilakazi Street. This is the only street in the world that can boast having had two Nobel Laureates as residents.

Vilakazi Street is the Soweto street of the greats, named after Dr Benedict Wallet Vilakazi, a distinguished writer and educator who wrote the first poetry book published in Zulu.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Mandela House, 8115 Orlando West Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1804 South Africa

In Orlando West, Soweto, on the corner of Vilakazi and Ngakane streets, you’ll find the modest house that Nelson Mandela and his family called home from 1946 to the 1990s. Mandela lived in the house with his first wife, Evelyn Ntoko Mase, and, after his divorce, with his second wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Mandela himself didn’t spend much time at the Vilakazi Street home: his growing role in the anti-apartheid struggle drove him underground before his arrest in 1962. Madikizela-Mandela continued to live in the house with their two daughters, Zenani and Zindzi, until she was banished to the Free State town of Brandfort in 1977.

Upon his release from prison in 1990, Mandela moved back to the house for a short 11 days before moving to larger and more secure premises in the Johannesburg suburb of Houghton.

The Mandela family’s four-roomed Soweto home is now a museum and houses various memorabilia, artworks, awards and honorary doctorates conferred on Nelson Mandela and his family, as well as photographs of the family dating back to the 1950s. It's one of the major tourist attractions in South Africa due to its deep history and ties to Madiba's pre-presidential life

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Hector Pieterson Museum, 8287 Khumalo St, Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa

On June 16, 1976, Soweto high school students took to the streets in a peaceful protest against the mandatory use of Afrikaans as a language of instruction in black secondary schools. The students planned to meet at Orlando Stadium before marching to the regional offices of the Department of Bantu Education, where they intended to raise their grievances with the authorities.

They carried placards that read, “Away with Afrikaans”, “Amandla awethu” (“Power to the people”) and “Free Azania” (“Free South Africa”), and sang the hymn Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika (God Bless Africa), now the basis for the national anthem of democratic South Africa.

On the way to the stadium, they were met by police, who ordered them to end the march and disperse. A violent confrontation ensued in which students threw stones and police fired shots. News of the events in Soweto soon spread, igniting uprisings around the country in which hundreds of people died. One of the first to be killed by the police was 12-year-old Hector Pieterson. Newspaper photographer Sam Nzima was in Soweto on June 16 covering the protests and the riots which followed. His iconic image of Pieterson’s body being carried by high school student Mbuyisa Makhubo, with his sister, Antoinette Sithole, running alongside, is a graphic representation of repression under the apartheid regime and has become an iconic image around the world of the senseless cruelty and brutality of the apartheid state.

The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, situated in Orlando West, Soweto, commemorates the role of the country’s students in the struggle against apartheid and in particular the role played by the school children who took part in the Soweto protests of 1976, many of whom were shot by the apartheid police while protesting against the sub-standard of education in black schools in South Africa.

Duration: 45 minutes