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
58 On Hume
58 on Hume is a luxurious, secure accommodation situated in the Dunkeld West, Johannesburg. A Gautrain station, both business and shopping distri...
Greenfig Guesthouse
Expect friendship, hospitality, peace and comfort at Greenfig Guesthouse, a private accommodation situated in Brakpan. Greenfig Guesthouse is nes...
Ellipse Waterfall 31015
Ellipse Waterfall 31015 is an air-conditioned studio apartment furnished with a double bed. The bathroom is fitted with a shower, toilet and basi...
Ellipse 612
Ellipse 612 Holiday Apartment in Johannesburg is elegantly decorated apartment furnished with a double bed. The kitchen is well equipped for a se...
Sunlight Apartment
Sunlight apartment in Linden is a modern unit on a secure property. From here you are within safe walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops, ...
Grace Guest House
Grace Guest house is a beautiful thatched residence in Bryanston, located on one and a half acres of peaceful garden, where guests can relax and ...
Macedon 201
Macedon 201 is a holiday apartment, situated in the suburb of Rosebank, Johannesburg. This haven offers stylish accommodation, tastefully furnish...
Sandton Sky 1501
Sandton Sky 1501 has two bedrooms furnished with King-size beds. The fully equipped kitchen has every modern convenience, including a dishwasher,...
Thatchfoord Lodge
This elegant lodge is situated in Morningside Manor, one of Sandton's secure and tranquil suburbs, overlooking the willowed banks of the Sand Riv...
Things to do in the area
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 ...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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