Soweto gets Christmas lights
“Soweto (South Western Township) is the biggest township in South Africa. Situated on the south side of the city of Johannesburg, it’s home to between 4 million and 4,5 million people and it was the site of some of the fiercest anti-government protests during the Apartheid era. For the first time in its 100-year history; Christmas lights were switched on in the township last Wednesday and the night was filled with good cheer.

The perennial problems of Soweto have, since its inception, included poor housing, overcrowding, high unemployment and poor infrastructure. This has seen settlements of shacks made of corrugated iron sheets becoming part of the Soweto landscape. Apartheid planning did not provide much in terms of infrastructure, and it is only in recent years that the democratic government has spearheaded moves to plant trees, develop parks, and install electricity and running water to many parts of the township.”

For more information about Soweto visit websites www.soweto.co.za or www.joburg.org.za.