Bringing hope to the children of Soweto

Soweto is not merely a place with a lot of history, but also a place with a strong community that has overcome a lot of hardships such as issues with poor or no infrastructure, low levels of education and healthcare, high rates of unemployment, and high levels of crime.

In spite of the difficulties, the MoAfrika Soweto upliftment initiative stands out like a shining beacon. Those who live in this settlement face many hardships, but MoAfrika Tours, and its tourists, are making life easier.

This article explores  the background of Soweto, concentrating on the Elias Motsoaledi Informal Settlement in the area of Diepkloof in the heart of Soweto.

“It is our moral obligation to help the most vulnerable members of society, and you may now join in on this worthwhile endeavour,” said Anthony Colia, the CEO of MoAfrika Tours. MoAfrika Tours, amongst many available tours, does local Soweto Tours for a unique and real Soweto perspective.

Summary of Soweto’s past

Soweto is an acronym for “South Western Townships,” and it refers to a large township within the greater Johannesburg metropolis. Its past is inextricably linked to the fight against apartheid.

Soweto was founded in the middle of the twentieth century as a mostly black township in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and innumerable others led the struggle for equality and justice from these very streets.

Although Soweto is historically significant, it has also struggled with issues including poor infrastructure, low levels of education and healthcare, high rates of unemployment, and high levels of crime.

Elias Motsoaledi informal settlement in Diepkloof, Soweto

Soweto has a total area of 200.03 km2 with a population density of 6,357.29 people per square kilometre, with a total of 355,331 houses at a density of 1,776.42 people per square kilometre. The latter uses data from a census taken in 2011, almost 10 years ago.

Diepkloof is a neighbourhood in Soweto that is near the city’s major transport hubs and the eastern border. Settlement type and household income differentiate Diepkloof’s three primary areas.

The single informal settlement in Diepkloof is located in the region that was once known as Mandela village and now goes by the name Elias Motsoaledi (after the struggle hero Elias Motsoaledi). In contrast to the other two Zones, Elias Motsoaledi informal settlement only has improvised shacks for housing and no access to even the most basic services.

Problems facing the community

The problems that the residents of Soweto have to deal with are complex and have deep roots. Some of the most critical problems they face are as follows:

• The availability of good schools is still a serious issue. Overcrowding and a lack of extracurricular opportunities are problems in many Soweto schools because of a lack of funding. The chances for the kids are affected as a result.
• The neighbourhood is plagued by high rates of unemployment due to a lack of available jobs and widening economic gaps.
• Thirdly, citizens have a hard time getting the medical treatment they need due to a lack of available healthcare resources.
• Housing is a major issue, since many people still live in makeshift slums without access to even the most basic services like clean water and flush toilets.
• Like many metropolitan neighbourhoods, the safety and well-being of Soweto’s citizens is threatened by crime.

How you can help MoAfrika bring joy to a child’s life  

The management and staff of MoAfrika Tours are firm believers in the profound impact acts of kindness can have on individuals and communities. They have initiated various programs aimed at providing better educational opportunities for the youth in Soweto.

These initiatives include assisting in the construction of schools and addressing fundamental needs such as food and clothing for these underprivileged children. Many of the youngsters have only one set of clothes, and some even lack proper footwear. According to Colia, their goal is to guide these young minds towards a brighter future filled with optimism.

However, none of these initiatives can succeed without the support of tourists who choose to book tours with MoAfrika Tours. When you book a Sowetan tour, whether it’s a township walk or an informal settlement exploration, you contribute to making a positive difference in the community. For each person booking a Soweto-tour, MoAfrika Tours donates R50 towards community development.

It’s important for tourists to realise that Elias Motsoaledi depends on the help of individuals in order to survive, even if seeing people struggling to make ends meet may be upsetting to some guests. Therefore, it is fair to state that these visits may not be for the faint hearted, but the happiness of the children and the feeling of community you experience in Soweto will remain with you forever.

“Together, there is an incredible potential for us to make a significant impact on the Elias Motsoaledi informal settlement and uplift the lives of those who call it home. Your decision to embark on this journey with MoAfrika Tours can truly make a world of difference,” said Colia.

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