Soweto

Soweto

Soweto

Soweto is an acronym for "South Western Townships", which is a group of townships across a 20km radius, south-west of Johannesburg. This name was first used in 1963, and became world known in 1976.

Soweto's establishment is directly related to the discovery of gold in 1885. Gold prospectors came flocking to South Africa to seek gold, and within four years of discovery, Johannesburg was South Africa's second largest city. People lived in multi- racial towns across the goldfields, and as the gold industry grew, so did its need for workers. The mine workers lived in the mine compounds, but the other workers had to fine their own accommodation in rural circumstances.

After an outbreak of plague in 1905, black residents were relocated to Klipspruit, allowing them housing on a rental basis where the Indian and Coloured families were given freehold titles to their land, now being Alexandra after the relocation.

In the 1930's the need for black housing grew, and another township was created in the south western area of Johannesburg, known as Orlando. This was the second township in the area, and the two now formed Soweto. After the removal of the Sophiatown residents in 1959, they were relocated to Meadowlands, also in Soweto. Earnest Oppenheimer arranged for the Oppenheimer Tower to be built in Jabulani, as additional housing, as there was a huge shortage at this time.

Soweto's housing problem, lack of infrastructure and unemployment was due to its rapid growth, and it was unplanned for it to turn into the most metropolitan township in the country today. But also because of this coming together of black cultures, Soweto developed its own unique energy, and the residents have a unique sense of cosmopolitan sophistication. Sowetans set trends in fashion, music, language and dance, and has more than 1 million residents.

Soweto spawned great historical, political and sports figures. Nobel Prize winners, Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela once lived in Vilakazi Street in Orlando West. Baby Jake Matlala, the boxing legend, and also the singing diva Yvonne Chaka Chaka, soccer star Jomo Sono, the well-known journalist Aggrey Klaaste, medical doctor Nthato Motlana and mathematician Prof Thamsanqa Kambule called Soweto home.

Soweto also has the highest number established of sporting teams. Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Moroka Swallows are from the heart of Soweto. The Orlando Power Station Towers is one of Soweto's biggest landmarks, and is the largest mural painting in South Africa. Nelson Mandela's house where he lived before imprisonment is now a museum, in the suburb Orlando.

Soweto is all about diversity and contrast, mansions and matchbox houses, vibrant colours, and truly an example of South Africa's rich diversity, coming together in beauty.