Kliptown (original) (raw)
Kliptown, Johannesburg
Kliptown is the oldest district in Soweto, famous as the site known as the Congress of the People, where 3 000 gathered together in 1955 to write the Freedom Charter. It later served as the basis for South Africa's liberal constitution.
There is more history. The place where they met was declared a national heritage site, and in 2005 what was a dusty field saw Thabo Mbeki light a flame of freedom to mark its space as the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication � some 50 years on from the Freedom Charter. It is now a park with a marketplace for traders, shops, offices and a hotel. Kliptown has also been the site of a R375 million upgrade, a huge effort to re-develop the largely dilapidated settlement.
At the edge of the square is a museum, which one can enter free of charge, about the Congress of the People. The museum stands where once there was an old hardware shop, owned by an Indian family called the Jades � the Congress has a multicultural history. The museum is beautiful and well worth a visit, even if there is little information about it in your average tourist guide to Johannesburg.
In Kliptown is a youth centre that helps neglected children in the area, known as SKY (Soweto Kliptown Youth). Kliptown has a real feeling of tolerance and multiracial integration. As one blogger on Jhb Live put it: 'I saw white people walking around freely in a squatter camp like they were in Melville.' To experience it firsthand, take a tour of Soweto that includes Kliptown.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Self Catering
76 On Milton
76 On Milton offers charming self-catering studio apartments located on a secure property in Lombardy East, Johannesburg. 76 On Milton has three ...
Bed & Breakfast
Claires of Sandton
At Claires you will find a welcoming secure oasis that offers relaxed comfort, excellent service and great food. Each thoughtfully furnished, spa...
Bed & Breakfast
Dunvegan Execu Lodge
Dunvegan Execu Lodge is proudly a four star luxury guesthouse, conveniently situated in the tranquil residential area of Dunvegan in Edenvale. We...
Self Catering
La Petit Bordeaux
La Petit Bordeaux is a fully solar-powered, self-catering cottage for two guests in Bordeaux, Randburg, just 6km from Sandton City. The property ...
Guest House
Woodpecker's Inn
Woodpecker's inn is an up market Bed & Breakfast guesthouse situated in Kempton Park, 15 minutes drive from the OR Tambo International Airport. T...
Bed & Breakfast
African Tribes Guest Lodge
African Tribes is ideally situated for travellers with early departures or late arrivals. We also accommodate day visitors who need a room betwee...
Guest House
Homestead Lake Guesthouse
Homestead Lake Guesthouse is an upmarket accommodation eatlablishent situated in a quiet and safe residential area. We are situated virtually on ...
Guest House
Fin and Feather Guesthouse
Fin and Feather Guesthouse offers a relaxing, comfortable accommodation in a homely atmosphere. Owner managed, we are proud to provide both the c...
Bed & Breakfast
Kotie's Guest House
Kotie's is situated in a quiet suburb +/-13km from the Airport. At Kotie's we pride ourselves in spoiling you in 4 star luxury accommodation and ...
Things to do in the area
Caf�s & Eateries
Choc's Restaurant & Bar
Famous for being a vibey spot that services upmarket locals of Soweto, Johannesburg and tourists from all over the world, "Choc's" as the locals ...
Cultural Villages
Credo Mutwa Cultural Village
The Credo Mutwa Cultural Village is one of Soweto�s many gems, and a must to see for visitors from all over the world who want a taste of deep Af...
Parks & Gardens
Diepkloof Park
The suburb famous for the Soweto Wine Festival and one of the founding places of kwaito (a style of hip-hop specific to South Africa) and where a...
Township Tours
Walter Sisulu Square
Walter Sisulu Square in the heart of Kliptown, Soweto, is South Africa�s first township entertainment explosion centre, the very first of its kin...
Noteworthy attractions
Golf Courses
Crown Mines Golf Club
South Africa is famous for its gold, and Crown Mines Golf Club is built in genuine mining country, just a few kilometres southeast of central Joh...
Golf Courses
Observatory Golf Club
Observatory Golf Course is one of the less well known Johannesburg courses, but just as good as many of its more famous neighbors. A sophisticate...
Golf Courses
Randpark Golf Club
With two very distinct but different golf courses, Randpark offers golfers of varying ability an unforgettable experience on two of the finest an...
Golf Courses
Royal Johannesburg Golf Club
The World Atlas of Golf, which lists the great courses and how they are played, features just two South African clubs on its hallowed pages. One ...
Airports
OR Tambo International Airport
Formerly officially known as Johannesburg International Airport, the OR Tambo International Airport is a large airport near the city of Johannesb...
Landmarks
East Rand Flea Market
Just outside Johannesburg in Boksburg, the East Rand Flea Market lies right next to the East Rand Mall, and as a result, is open just about all w...
Shopping
East Rand Mall
The popular East Rand Mall takes full advantage of the prime position of this area and offers a variety of restaurants, boutiques, chain stores a...
Museums
Absa Money Museum
Home to the largest collection of money used in South Africa�s past in the world, Absa Money Museum lies in downtown Johannesburg on Troye Street...
Landmarks
Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is the story of the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Beginning in 1948, the white elected National Party governme...
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