Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Soweto


Soweto
Originally uploaded by soucouyant.
That same day, we went to Soweto. We scrounged around for maps and asked the black staff people at the guesthouse, but it was still really hard to figure out the place, since the signage is a little random. We wanted to make it to this neighborhood that has these music clubs and restaurants and stores, but after some wandering we couldn't find it. Still, we made out way to the Hector Pietersen Museum, saw Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu's houses, and drove around a little bit. I still don't have the words to describe being in that legendary place of such bravery and cruelty, to stand where children died fighting for freedom.

On the way in, you see the power stations, that fed the white neighborhoods, whereas Soweto residents had no electricity for years.

An interesting tidbit I didn't know: SOWETO sounds like an African word, but it's not. It is just an acronym for SOUTH WEST TOWNSHIP.

Another interesting and oft-quoted tidbit about Soweto? It contains the largest concentration of millionaires in South Africa.

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