Last Thursday evening I went to Soweto with a group of journalists, tourists, and locals, and we did a simple yet revolutionary thing: We walked around at night. The walk was part of a new tourism experience called “Soweto Night Out”, founded by the creator of Funk It I’m Walking.
Funk It I’m Walking was founded by artist, activist, and Soweto resident Nomsa Mazwai, who wants to make walking safe for women (and all people) at any time and in any condition. Nomsa is also passionate about promoting tourism, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment in Soweto. As Nomsa explained at the start of our walk, the ability to walk safely and comfortably after dark is essential for all of the above.
The Soweto Night Out, Nomsa’s newest initiative, will happen on the first Thursday of every month. Last Thursday’s edition was particularly poignant because it happened during Youth Month, when South Africans commemorate the 1976 Soweto Uprising. (Youth Day is this Sunday, 16 June.) We visited several important historical sites on the walk and were joined by Seth Mazibuko, one of the lead organizers of the Soweto Uprising. Seth was arrested by the apartheid police when he was barely 16 years old, held in solitary confinement for 18 months, and imprisoned for seven years on Robben Island.
The Soweto Night Out
My group caught a shuttle from Rosebank to Soweto and met at Just Badela, a restaurant in Orlando West, at around dinner time. We mingled with the other walkers, had a welcome drink and some surprisingly delicious beef tongue, and eventually set off walking with a group of incredible singers from the Phakama MaAfrica Youth Choir.
We stopped at several historical places along the way, including Winnie Mandela’s former home, the Mandela House Museum, Desmond Tutu’s former home, and “Confrontation Corner” — one of the key sites of the Soweto Uprising.
After an invigorating night walk of about four kilometers, we returned to Just Badela for dinner and a Q&A with Seth. As a true Struggle hero who put his life on the line and sacrificed his childhood to fight for freedom in South Africa, Seth is understandably angry — I would even say furious — about the state of the country today. One of the things he said that stood out to me was: “I’m angry because I lost the days of my youth for freedom that is not here.” Sobering words, to be sure, but I’m glad I was there to hear them.
I got so much out of this experience and I would totally do it again. The next Soweto Night Out is on 4 July and will start and end at Native Rebels, one of the coolest music venues in Soweto. Follow @SowetoNightOut on Instagram for information on tickets and how to book — transport from Rosebank will be available.
Thanks to Funk It I’m Walking and Johannesburg In Your Pocket for organizing this media visit.
That must be the coolest name for a walking group tour. So glad you got to meet Seth Mazibuko, I’ve met him a couple of times with JHF, such a humbling super person.
It is the coolest!
❤️
Oh wow, what a good initiative.
The walking program is a great initiative and so right–we should all be able to walk safely. Heartbreaking ending for Seth, though I appreciate you sharing it.
Yeah, there’s no sugar-coating that one!
A fantastic concept, hope it becomes a “must do” tourist outing. Just wondering whether Hector Peterson’s memorial & role in the Soweto Youth Uprising received any prominence? Also, an indication of the cost?
The Hector Pieterson memorial was not a huge part of this particular tour but each tour they do is different. The price of the tour varies between R250 and R950 depending on if you include transport, food, etc.
My heart goes out to South Af. I can’t believe how bad it’s gotten – no library, no trash pickup, no lights? I’m glad though to see everyone in solidarity and good spirits. Take care, Heather. xo
It is bad but also not that bad, if that makes any sense. The lack of government services is truly enraging but then there are people like Nomsa (and Dennis, from my last post) just carrying on and doing such amazing things…South Africa!