Erin Explores Travel

Arriving in South Africa

All checked in at my hotel and enjoying a South African Beer! It’s dark out, so I only took the one picture of the pool area, but the grounds are very pretty and the room is basic, but clean! The staff is super friendly! And the food in the kitchen smelled so good. I am stuffed from all the food on the plane, so will have to try it tomorrow. We get a full English Breakfast included with the room. But tonight I got this giant water, a beer and some chocolate biscuits for the equivalent of $3.81 USD!

I stayed at the Emerald Guesthouse in Kempton Park, which is a suburb of Johannesburg.

Soweto Township, Johannesburg

Today was AMAZING!! We had such a great tour of Soweto, the largest township in South Africa, making up a large percentage of the population of Johannesburg. It was also the center of political campaigns aimed at the overthrow of the apartheid state.

We saw everything from the rich side of the township to the poverty. My favorite part was getting to go inside the daycare and see all the beautiful children with smiles on their faces singing for us. They all wanted to hug us and hang on to our legs and be picked up. They also all wanted their pictures taken. There was one little girl obsessed with playing with my hair. And another little boy who was intrigued by my smart watch.

Being in that village and seeing how they live was so eye opening. They are living in tiny matchbox houses. And are waiting to move into government housing which could be anywhere from 4-10 years they said. Thankful to the beautiful woman who allowed us to see inside her home and explain to us how they live. Makes you think about how much we take for granted in the states.

I’m so blessed to be able to travel and see all these beautiful places and different cultures!

Hector Pieterson and

After the close up look of the lives of the people in Soweto, we went to the Hector Pieterson Museum. At the age of only 12, he was one of the first casualties of the June 16, 1976 uprising against the sole use of the Afrikaans language in schools. After he had been shot, 18-year-old Mbuyisa Makhubo picked him up. Consistent harassment by apartheid police caused him to flee the country, never to be seen again. It was very sad to read about these students and what they endured.

Nelson Mandela’s House

Then we did a little shopping at the local stands. Followed by the tour of Nelson Mandela’s house. While I’d obviously heard of him, it was interesting to learn more about his life.

Apparently the umbilical cords of Mandela’s children were buried with the roots of this tree pictured above. This ritual symbolizes the planting of roots for their child in the land and in the community, thus reaffirming the child’s cultural connections.

Then LUNCH at a buffet restaurant where I got to try a bunch of traditional African foods, as well as a beer local to Soweto. Don’t even ask me what all is on my plate because I can’t even remember haha (after a quick Google search, I believe I tried… Pap, Samp & Beans, Boerewors, Cabbage marinated in idk what, but it was delicious, some kind of chicken…)

Apartheid Museum

After the super filling lunch, we ended the tour at the Apartheid Museum. There was so much information in there, and I guess I didn’t realize how recent these events were. So sad!

Thank you to Moafrika Tours for a great tour! I’d highly recommend it if you’re in Johannesburg!