Many important Black political figures of South Africa used to stay in Soweto and guided tours take visitors past the erstwhile or present homes of these leaders. Vilakasi Street in Orlando West, the oldest of Soweto’s 52 suburbs, is the only street in the world that houses two Nobel price winners, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and ex-President Nelson Mandela.

The house where Nelson Mandela stayed while he was practicing as a lawyer in Johannesburg, has become a part of our national heritage. This 4-room house was his only home as an adult, before he went to prison for 27 years. The inside is filled with small mementoes and treasures of him and his family. Many of the artefacts have their own stories to tell. The karos (piece of skin worn as traditional Xhosa clothing), which he wore during a trial to show his contempt for the Western legal system, lies on the bed in the main bedroom. The museum is at present being upgraded and a restaurant in the backyard offers some light refreshments. The Regina Mundi Catholic Church is called by some the spiritual home of the freedom struggle. Many political meetings, rallies and community gatherings were held here under the previous government. It is also the largest church in Soweto and many of the people who perished during the struggle were buried from here. Bullet holes, apparently fired by police from inside while they were trying to break up a meeting, can still be seen.

A famous painting of the Black Madonna also hangs inside the church. Ma-Africa Art Gallery is situated at the church and 10 per cent of the sales go to the church. The works of art are all produced by internationally renowned artists and are unique mementoes of life in Soweto.