Soweto and the Apartheid Museum

Soweto, the vast township on the edge of Johannesburg, was the crucible of the struggle against apartheid, the scene of the 1976 student uprising and home to figures including Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Together with the powerful Apartheid Museum, which tells the story of the rise and fall of the system of racial segregation through moving, immersive exhibits, it offers an essential and often emotional understanding of South Africa's recent history.

What you actually see

• The Apartheid Museum - the powerful museum of the country's recent history.
• Vilakazi Street - the street once home to both Mandela and Tutu.
• The Hector Pieterson Memorial - the memorial to the 1976 uprising.
• A township tour - the guided visit to understand Soweto's life and history.

When to go

Year-round; the museum is indoor and open most days. A guided tour of Soweto, ideally with a local guide, gives the fullest and most respectful understanding. Allow a good half day for the Apartheid Museum alone, as it is detailed and moving.

Honest expectations

The Apartheid Museum is emotionally heavy and detailed, so allow time and energy. Soweto is a living community, not a spectacle, so a respectful, ideally locally guided tour is far better than gawping. Johannesburg calls for sensible caution, so take local advice on areas and travel. It is essential for understanding the country.

Nearby

Johannesburg's Constitution Hill and the Cradle of Humankind are nearby; Pretoria is close.