1. Explore Dorothy Nyembe Park

Located in Mofolo North in Soweto, Dorothy Nyembe Park is a 26-hectare (64-acre) area that is recognizable by its giant unusual sculpted figurines with their arms outstretched and trees planted behind them. It is named after a political activist and women’s rights campaigner who played a big role in organizing women from rural areas in a movement named Natal Women’s Revolt. The park consists of a bird hide overlooking a number of dams, an environmental center, a sporting center, an amphitheater for concerts, and a children’s play area. A natural wetland running through the park feeds the dams and attracts a variety of bird species. With all these as well as the park’s unique character, this is definitely a noteworthy place to visit.

Dorothy Nyembe Park

Address: Meadowlands West Zone 10, Soweto, 1863, South Africa

Website: Dorothy Nyembe Park

Opening hours: 7am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free

2. Admire the sculptures at Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Nestled in the heart of Soweto, this is a museum-cum-outdoor exhibition featuring Credo Mutwa’s works consisting of sculptures of historical figures and mythological beings and buildings. Alternatively known as Kwakhaya Lendaba (the Place of Stories), this personal collection mixes African folklore and art with westernized society. This unique yet traditional approach attracts foreign artists looking for a more authentic inspiration. Each of Mutwa’s pieces has a different concept, motive, and message, allowing the visitors to think deeply and decipher each one as they stroll along.

Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Address: 991 Bochabela St, Jabavu, Soweto, 1809, South Africa

Website: Credo Mutwa Cultural Village

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Visit Mandela's House

Located close to the Tutu House where Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu once lived, Mandela House is where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1962. It is a single-story red-brick matchbox, where the outside has scorch marks from Molotov cocktails, and it is comprised of four inter-leading rooms. Inside contains an assortment of original furnishings and memorabilia such as paintings and photographs featuring the Mandela family as well as universities and institutions’ honorary doctorates awarded to Nelson Mandela. Other knick-knacks include a world championship belt gifted by Sugar Ray Leonard, a multi-colored cloak, and an assortment of his old boots.

Mandela's House

Address: 8115 Vilakazi St, Orlando West, Soweto, 1804, South Africa

Website: Mandela’s House

Opening hours: 9am - 4.45pm (daily)

Price: 3.20 USD (International Adults); 2.10 USD (African Union Adults); 1.07 USD (Children, six and above); 0.30 USD (children five and below)

4. Pay your respects at Hector Pieterson Memorial

This memorial is located two blocks away from where Hector Pieterson was shot and killed on 16th June 1976. It is named after him as he was one of the schoolchildren who participated in the anti-Apartheid Soweto Uprising. He ended up being one of the first to be shot by the apartheid police. An iconic image would later be circulated, consisting of his body being carried by a highschooler Mbuyisa Makhubo, with his sister Antoinette Sithole running alongside them. In the museum, visitors will find a touching collection of oral accounts, audiovisual displays and historical documents covering the Soweto protests. Outside, you will find a tribute to those who died in the uprising.

Hector Pieterson Memorial

Address: 8287 Khumalo Rd, Orlando West, Johannesburg, 1804, South Africa

Website: Hector Pieterson Memorial

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 4.30pm

Price: 1.80 USD (Adults); 0.58 USD (kids 13 and above); 0.32 USD (kids 12 and below & senior citizens)

5. Wander around Walter Sisulu Square

Nestled in the heart of Kliptown, this was where the Congress of the People met to create the Freedom Charter that emphasizes on a non-racial society, liberty, and individual rights. To this day, it remains the foundation of the African National Congress policy. It has a broad variety of outlets, such as an open-air museum that displays the process of writing the Freedom Charter by thousands of South Africans. The cone-shaped brick tower at the square’s center is the document’s monument and the Charter’s full principles are carved in bronze.

Walter Sisulu Square

Address: Cnr Klipspruit Valley Road & Union Road Kliptown, Pimville Zone 9, Soweto, 1809, South Africa

Website: Walter Sisulu Square

Opening hours: 7am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

6. Catch a performance at Soweto Theater

First established in 2012, it’s the latest theater to be managed by Johannesburg City Theaters. This venue contains three performance venues that are colored in the three primary colors: red, yellow and blue. The red theater can house 436 people, the blue theater can seat 120 people and the yellow theater can accommodate 80 people. Other facilities include a foyer indoors and outdoors, changing rooms in multiple levels, art collections and a bar. The theater is usually open for different plays and music concerts, but it can be used for conferences and functions as well.

Soweto Theater

Address: Cnr Bolani Link and Bolani Rd, Jabulani, Soweto, 1868, South Africa

Website: Soweto Theater

Opening hours: Depends on the events of the day (currently closed due to Covid-19)

7. Enjoy a day out at Orlando West Park

This park is furnished with a collection of sport and recreational amenities, including swings, a football pitch, a 0.6 mile (1km) jogging track and a netball and basketball court. For the physically handicapped, they have a big dedicated playground that includes a walking slope and a wheelchair-friendly maze. There is a large TV screen used to broadcast sports matches and other shows as well as flowerbeds and braai areas for people to enjoy the outside atmosphere.

Orlando West Park

Address: Armitage Street and Klipspruitvalley Road, Orlando West, Soweto, Gauteng.

Website: Orlando West Park

Opening hours:24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

8. Marvel at the stunning Soweto Towers

This attraction is two painted towers. One of the towers acts as an advertising billboard, while the other has South Africa’s largest mural painting on it. Once a pair of cooling towers for a coal-based power station, it’s now the ideal place to put your adventurous nature to the test; this place has lots of extreme adrenaline activities. The list of activities includes bungee jumping, straitjacket bungee, paintball, SCAD freefall, base jumping, climbing an 82-foot (25-meter) wall and traveling in a lift to get to the viewing platform for a 360-degree look of Soweto.

Soweto Towers

Address: Chris Hani Rd, Klipspruit 318-Iq, Johannesburg, 1809, South Africa

Website: Soweto Towers

Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

9. Sample local brews at Soweto Brewing Company

Located near the renowned Vilakazi Street and the aforementioned Hector Peterson Memorial, this is a must-see for beer enthusiasts out there. Built on state-of-the-art brewing technology from Germany and manufactured by China’s biggest brewery manufacturer in China, the brewery plant is indeed built with the goal of creating world-class beer that is entirely their own. This place offers beer tastings and a tour around the brewery, as well as meet-and-greets with the team that established the iconic brand. The drinks menu is also extensive and includes draft, ginger beer, apple ale, cherry beer, Orlando stout and excellent lager.

Soweto Brewing Company

Address: 11846 Senokoanyana St, Orlando West, Soweto, 1804, South Africa

Website: Soweto Brewing Company

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free entrance

10. Stroll down Vilakazi Street

Vilakazi Street’s popularity originates from the fact that two Nobel Prize winners lived on the same street: Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. This means the aforementioned Mandela’s House is here. It also has a couple of famous restaurants like Nambitha and Sakhumzi, where you can have a taste of their local cuisine or just sit and indulge in some people watching. Furthermore, it’s home to Soweto TV, the city’s lone community television station. Other than that, it is actually just an ordinary street, though it is a good place to take a walk around.

Vilakazi Street

Address: Orlando West, Soweto, 1804, South Africa

Website: Vilakazi Street

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Lots to add to your itinerary

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to all the interesting things to do in Soweto. However, we understand you may not have the time to search for the best attractions online. This list above lists the things we feel may intrigue you, so do consider any of the above and plan the itinerary. You will be surprised by the experiences each of them can bring you.