y final morning in South Africa was short and sweet with just a few hours we only had time to visit one place,   we chose a Tuk Tuk tour of  Soweto, one of the most visited and historically important townships in South Africa. 

We explored by tuk-tuk with Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, one of the best-known local operators. The story behind this project is inspiring in itself. Founder Lebo Malepa began by selling crafts near the Mandela House and Hector Pieterson sites in the late 1990s. He saw how visitors often experienced Soweto only from the windows of tour buses, with foreign guides, and wanted them to hear local stories from local people. 

From those beginnings, his idea grew into walking tours, then bicycle tours, and now vibrant tuk-tuk tours that take you right into the heart of the community. 

Our tuk-tuk adventure was a mix of fun and deeply moving moments. It got a little hairy when the tuk-tuk decided it did not want to start and our driver had to jump out and push, but even that added to the experience and the laughter. 

What really stays with you are the people. Everywhere we went, we were greeted with smiles and waves, especially from the children. Amid the history and the hardship, there is so much warmth and resilience. 

Learning about the 1976 Soweto Uprising was another moment I will never forget. Thousands of students protested peacefully against the forced use of Afrikaans in schools. The tragic death of 12-year-old Hector Pieterson became a turning point in South Africa’s history. 

The iconic photograph taken by Sam Nzima, showing Hector being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo with Hector’s sister, Antoinette Sithole, running alongside, shocked the world and came to symbolise the fight against apartheid. 

 Every year on 16 June, South Africa marks Youth Day to honour the students who stood up for their rights and those who lost their lives. 

The brief insight we had was a truly humbling and  gave me a little bit more of a deeper understanding of South Africa’s past, and how it shapes the present. I wish we had, had time to also visit

Mandela House Museum-  Soweto

Nelson Mandela House on Vilakazi Street offers a wonderfully personal window into his life before and after imprisonment. The modest red-brick home, now a museum, still holds family photographs, simple furnishings and everyday objects that make this global icon feel very real and relatable. Walking through the tiny rooms, you get a sense of the sacrifices made, but also of the warmth and resilience that carried the family through extraordinary times.

Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum – Soweto

The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum is one of those places that quietly stays with you. Focused on the 1976 student uprisings, it tells the story of young people who stood up against injustice, and of the families and communities forever changed by that day. The imagery and testimonies are deeply moving, but the space itself feels respectful and dignified rather than overwhelming.

Nelson Mandela Foundation

Step inside the Nelson Mandela Foundation and you step into the heart of South Africa’s modern story. This is so much more than an archive: it is an intimate space where Madiba’s letters, photographs and personal artefacts bring his journey to life in a very human way. It is the place to visit when you want to move beyond the headlines and really understand the values of forgiveness, leadership and courage that shaped today’s South Africa.

Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is not an easy visit, but it is an essential one. Thoughtfully curated exhibits, moving personal stories and clever, immersive design walk you through the rise and fall of apartheid in a way that is both uncomfortable and incredibly important. Allow plenty of time here, because it is the sort of place that invites you to pause, read, listen and really think. The museum offers deep context and a renewed appreciation for the resilience and optimism that define the city today.

A stop in Johannesburg will give you the opportunity to walk through history, and get an insight into the deeply human journey through pain, courage, sacrifice and ultimately hope, that the people of South Africa went through, you may get a clearer sense of how complex South Africa’s story is, and how extraordinary its people are in their resilience and generosity of spirit.

Spending time in Johannesburg gave me  powerful reminder that travel is not just about ticking off landmarks, it is about listening, learning and honouring the history that has shaped a nation and giving that little bit back that tourism allows us too