Vo l u m e1
6
|
Best of Soweto
Celebrating Soweto’s Successes The renowned mega-township of Soweto is photosynthesizing in the spotlight which was cast over it during the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup™. This bright light has continued to shine long after the final whistle was blown – the growth is of Soweto’s own accord. Here in ‘Best of Soweto’, we aim to capture some of this light and share it with the rest of the world. There are many opportunities arising out of Soweto – and its people are reveling in it. A township which has endured immense strife and hardship since its racial inception, Soweto has flourished into a place of colour and vibrancy. Whilst this is difficult to capture in the pages of a book, we owe it to Sowetans to attempt it and ensure the legacy lives. Soweto has always been an offshoot of Johannesburg City, but with talks of forming a separate municipality for Soweto, the township is increasingly standing on its own as a fully functional city. Its many achievements are most commendable. Toby Chance, MD at Adele Lucas Promotions
We can offer you a small flavour of the township through a showcase of those who have made it what it is today. As a result, we bring to you the success stories of ordinary and iconic Sowetans, and their businesses. In this way we can capture their collective enterprising spirit which has allowed them to rise through struggles with determination. Proof of this growth can be evidenced in the successful exhibitions which have been hosted in the township in the past few years. The established Soweto Festival Expo has grown from strength to strength, each year attracting both locals and visitors alike. The Soweto Wine Festival has also seen exceptional growth over the years, with record breaking attendance.
Thapelo Letsholo
The celebration evidenced in this book is made possible through the combined efforts of Adele Lucas Promotions, who have always nurtured an interest in Soweto, as well as Global Village Africa. Global Village Africa immediately felt that this was a project which needed to be done. After branding nations and regions the world over through the sharing of success stories, the evidence was clear that Soweto heralded it’s very own book on the encyclopedia www.GVPedia.com. The hope is ‘Best of Soweto’ will be used as a tool by Sowetans to increase interest and growth in the township, by creating international awareness of potential opportunities. It is already a major attraction for tourism, but here we hope to highlight the dynamic business attraction waiting to be utilised to the full.
Sven Boermeester
Thank you for your interest in Soweto and we hope that the following pages will inspire you as much as we were inspired by the pride and spirit of the township people.
International Group Publisher Sven Boermeester Africa Group Publisher Thapelo Letsholo Soweto Partners Adele Lucas Promotions Toby Chance Tom McCafferty Lance Saldsman Carol Xaba Project Manager Gia Bischofberger Editor Rebecca Eb Production GVPedia Communications cc Creative Direction Susan Heiman Webmaster Liam Dobell Printing Creda Press
Contact details: GVPedia Communications cc Tel: +27 11 705 2097 Fax: +27 86 586 1999 Email: gia@gvpedia.com www.GVPedia.com
Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in The ‘Best of Soweto” Vol.1. Neither ‘Best of Soweto’, Adele Lucas Promotions nor GVPedia Communications cc assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. The editor reserves the right to amend and alter copy and visual material as deemed necessary.
www.GVPedia.com Global Village Partnerships info@GVPedia.com
In Partnership with: Adele Lucas Promotions Tel: +27 11 646 5630 Fax: +27 11 646 8254 Email: toby@adelelucas.co.za www.adelelucas.co.za
All rights reserved: No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied, transmitted, adapted or modified in any form or by any means. This publication shall not be stored in whole or in part in any form in any retrieval system. Best of Soweto
|
1
CHAPTERS
46
72 Chapter 2
Taste of Soweto
Chapter 1
Tourism, Sports & Places of Interest
90
Festivals, Conferencing & Exhibitions
Chapter 4
Chapter 3
78
Heritage, Arts & Professional Services
Beauty
2
|
120 Chapter 6
Chapter 5
108
Mall Destinations, Fashion & Retail
Best of Soweto
142
Transport
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
128
Education & Youth
Media & Marketing 154
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
148
Medical Healthcare
Chapter 11
164
Utility Services
Best of Soweto
|
3
Soweto at a Glance “Soweto is a symbol of the New South Africa, caught between old squatter misery and new prosperity, squalor and an upbeat lifestyle, it is a vibrant city which still openly bears the scars of the apartheid past and yet shows what is possible in the New South Africa.� (Courtesy Soweto.co.za website)
4
|
Best of Soweto
Soweto is the most populous black urban residential area in South Africa with a population of approximately one million people. Although it falls under the municipality of the Johannesburg Metro Council in Gauteng province, Soweto has fast become an independent beating heart of the region – both socially and economically. But the most metropolitan township in the country’s beginning was quite different. A product of segregation under the apartheid area, Soweto now has flourishing industries within the property, fashion, music, and retail sectors. The uniqueness of Soweto is echoed in the trends developed in language and dance – with its very own popular ‘street’ talk. The name Soweto is an acronym from the first two letters of each word in South West Township, as a result of it’s relation to Johannesburg City – the economic hub of South Africa. The last few years have seen massive development in Soweto, such as the tarring of the township roads as well as planting trees. As a result, Soweto is now viewed as one of the major tourist attractions in South Africa. The attraction of Soweto is also accredited to its vibrancy and colour. This would be nothing without the people of Soweto and their enterprising spirit. Best of Soweto attempts to capture this and represent as much of this colour as is possible on paper. The fibre of Soweto is knitted together by the stories which represent its past, present and future. The pages which follow will showcase these stories. THE PAST Soweto is born Soweto comprised of a number of black African townships situated South-West of Johannesburg. Like Johannesburg – otherwise known as Egoli, the City of Gold
Best of Soweto
|
5
– Soweto’s establishment was as a result of the discovery of Gold in 1885. Within four years of finding gold in ‘Egoli’, Johannesburg became the second largest city in South Africa as a result of thousands of fortune seekers relocating from all over the country and the world. With the opening of numerous mines in and around the city, the demand for labour increased. Multi-racial ‘shanty towns’ sprung up around the cities mines. Migrant labour was thus born and although most workers were housed in mining compounds, many were left to find their own accommodation – more often in a lack of good conditions. Soweto’s development was propelled by the increasing eviction of Africans by city and state authorities. The oldest part of Soweto as it is now is Klipspruit. This residential area arose out of the relocation from Brickfields (Newtown) near Johannesburg centre in 1904 and 1905 during an outbreak of the bubonic plague. The plague gave
6
|
Best of Soweto
the Johannesburg City Council (Britishcontrolled city authorities) the opportunity to establish racially segregated residential areas. Only black African and Indian families were relocated to the “evacuation camp” at Klipspruit municipal sewage farm, which was located outside of the Johannesburg municipal boundary. This housing was on a rental basis. Klipspruit was later renamed Pimville. New housing was built in Orlando after the 1930’s increase in housing demand. This was a result of the large numbers of black people moving to Johannesburg. Orlando was named after the first administrator Edwin Orlando Leaky. During the 1940’s, James Mpanza – now credited as the “Father of Soweto” – became the leader of the first land invasion where around 20 000 squatters took over land near the Orlando residential area. Apartheid & Segregation After the Afrikaner-dominated National
Party gained power in 1948 and began to implement apartheid, the pace of forced removals and the creation of townships outside legally-designated white areas increased. The Johannesburg council established new townships to the South West for black Africans evicted from the city’s freehold areas of Martindale, Sophiatown, and Alexandra. Some townships were basic site and service plots (Tladi, Zondi, Dhlamini, Chiawelo, Senaoane, 1954), while at Dube middle class residents built their own houses. The first hostel to accommodate migrant workers evicted from the inner city in 1955 was built at Dube. The following year houses were built in the newly proclaimed townships of Meadowlands and Diepkloof. In 1956 townships were laid out for particular ethnic groups as part of the state’s strategy to sift black Africans into groupings that would later form the building blocks of the so-called “independent homelands.” In 1959
the residents of Sophiatown were forcibly removed to Soweto and occupied the area known as Meadowlands. Sir Earnest Oppenheimer, the first chairman of the Anglo American Corporation, was appalled by the housing shortage and was instrumental in arranging a loan of R6-million to the state for the construction of additional housing and this is commemorated by the Oppenheimer Tower in Jabulani. Housing was constructed in Naledi, Mapetla, Tladi, Moletsane and Phiri were created to house Sotho and Tswanaspeakers. Zulu and Xhosa speakers were accommodated in Dhlamini, Senaoane, Zola, Zondi, Jabulani, Emdeni and White City. Chiawelo was established for Tsonga and Venda-speaking residents. In 1963, the name Soweto (SOuth WEstern TOwnships) was officially adopted for the sprawling township that now occupied what had been the farms of Doornkop, Klipriviersoog, Diepkloof, Klipspruit and Vogelstruisfontein.
Soweto Uprising Soweto came to the world’s attention on June 16, 1976 with the Soweto Uprising, when mass protests erupted over the government’s policy to enforce education in Afrikaans rather than English. Police opened fire in Orlando West on 10 000 students marching from Naledi High School to Orlando Stadium, the rioting continued and 23 people, including two white people, died on the first day in Soweto. The first to be killed was Hector Pieterson, who was 12 years old, when the police began to open fire on the students. Another among the killed was Dr. Melville Edelstein, who had devoted his life to social welfare among blacks. He was stoned to death by the mob and left with a sign around his neck proclaiming “Beware Afrikaners”. The impact of the Soweto protests reverberated through the country and across the world. In their aftermath, economic and cultural sanctions were introduced from abroad. Political activists left the country to train for guerrilla resistance. Soweto and
Best of Soweto
|
7
other townships became the stage for violent state repression. Since 1991 this date and the schoolchildren have been commemorated by the International Day of the African Child. In response, the apartheid state started providing electricity to more Soweto homes, yet phased out financial support for building additional housing. Soweto became an independent municipality with elected black councillors in 1983, in line with the Black Local Authorities Act. Previously the townships were governed by the Johannesburg council, but from the 1970s the state took control. Soweto’s black African councillors were not provided by the apartheid state with the finances to address housing and infrastructural problems. Township residents opposed the black councillors as puppet collaborators who personally benefited financially from an oppressive regime. Resistance was spurred by the exclusion of blacks from the newly formed tricameral Parliament (which did include Whites, Asians and Coloureds). Municipal elections in Black, Coloured, and Indian areas were subsequently widely boycotted, returning extremely low voting figures for years. Popular resistance to state structures dates back to the Advisory Boards (1950) which coopted black residents to advise whites who managed the townships.
8
|
Best of Soweto
Resistance In Soweto, popular resistance to apartheid emerged in various forms during the 1980s. Educational and economic boycotts were initiated, and student bodies were organised. Street committees were formed, and civic organisations were established as alternatives to state-imposed structures. One of the most well-known “civics” was Soweto’s Committee of Ten, started in 1978 in the offices of The Bantu World newspaper. Such actions were strengthened by the call issued by African National Congress’s 1985 Kabwe congress in Zambia to make South Africa ungovernable. As the state forbade public gatherings, church buildings such as Regina Mundi were sometimes used for political gatherings. World War One Industrialisation during World War One drew thousands of black workers to the Reef. They were also propelled by legislation that rendered many rural black Africans landless. Informal settlements developed to meet the growing lack of housing. The Sofasonke squatter’s movement of James Mpanza in 1944 organised the occupation of vacant land in the area, at what became known as Masakeng (Orlando West). Partly as a result of Mpanza’s actions, the city council was forced to set up emergency camps in Orlando and Moroka, and later in Central Western Jabavu. Baragwanath Hospital The Imperial Military Hospital Baragwanath,
named after Cornishman John Albert Baragwanath, was built in 1941 during the Second World War to serve as a British Military Hospital. John Albert Baragwanath initially owned the situated site as a hostel, The Wayside Inn, until the British Government paid £328 000 for it to become a hospital. Field-Marshal Jan Smuts noted during the opening ceremonies that the facility would be used for the area’s black population after the war. In 1947 King George VI visited and presented medals to the troops there. From this start grew Baragwanath
Hospital (as it became known after 1948), reputedly the world’s largest hospital. In 1997 another name change followed, with the sprawling facility now known as Chris HaniBaragwanath Hospital in honour of the South African Communist Party leader who was assassinated in 1993 by white extremists. Incorporation into the City In 1995, Soweto became part of the Southern Metropolitan Transitional Local Council, and in 2002 was incorporated into the City of Johannesburg. A series of bomb
Best of Soweto
|
9
explosions rocked Soweto in October 2002. The explosions, believed to be the work of the Boeremag, a right wing extremist group, damaged buildings and railway lines, and killed one person. THE PRESENT The original rental houses have now been sold to the tenants who received a subsidy from the government to cover the cost of the houses. Private sector housing was developed from the 1980’s funded by various banks. Freehold titles are available to the properties. Services are provided by the Johannesburg Metro council and electricity by Eskom. Demographics Soweto was counted as part of Johannesburg in South Africa’s 2008 census, which put Soweto’s population at 1.3 million which is about one third of Johannesburg’s total population. Recent demographic statistics are not readily available. Soweto’s population is predominantly black. All eleven of the country’s official languages are spoken here, with the main linguistic groups being Zulu, Sotho, Tswana, Venda, and Tsonga (in descending order of size). Transport The township was not historically allowed to create employment centres within the area, so almost all of its residents are commuters
10
|
Best of Soweto
to other parts of the city. They travel by rail and road, with a number of bus and taxi services operating. Metrorail operates commuter trains between Soweto and central Johannesburg. Soweto train stations are at Naledi, Merafe, Inhlazane, Ikwezi, Dube, Phefeni, Phomolong, Mzimhlophe, Mlamlankunzi, Orlando, Nancefield, Kliptown, Tshiawelo and Midway. PUTCO has provided bus commuter services to Soweto residents for many years. A Bus Rapid Transit System known as Rea Vaya also provides transport for around 16 000 Soweto residents daily. Minibus taxis are a popular form of transport, with thousands operating in Soweto every day. Roads The N1 Western Bypass skirts the eastern boundary of Soweto. There is efficient road access for many parts of the region along busy highways to the CBD and Roodepoort, but commuters are largely reliant on trains and taxis. The N12 forms the southern border of Soweto. A new section of the N17 road (South Africa) is under construction that will provide Soweto with a 4 lane highway link to Nasrec. The M70, also known as the Soweto Highway, links Soweto with central Johannesburg via Nasrec and Booysens. This road is multi lane, has dedicated taxiways and passes next to Soccer City in Nasrec.
A major thoroughfare through Soweto is the Golden Highway. It provides access to both the N1 as well as the M1 highways.
homes, and the City Council has enabled the planting of more trees and the improving of parks and green spaces in the area.
Housing The area is mostly composed of old “matchbox� houses, or four-room houses built by the government, that were built to provide cheap accommodation for black workers during apartheid. However, there are a few smaller areas where prosperous Sowetans have built houses that are similar in stature to those in more affluent suburbs.
Hostels are another prominent feature of Soweto. Originally built to house male migrant workers, many have been improved as dwellings for couples and families.
Many people who still live in matchbox houses have improved and expanded their
Suburbs By 2003 the Greater Soweto area consisted of 87 townships grouped together into Administrative Regions 6 and 10 of Johannesburg. Estimates of how many residential areas
Best of Soweto
|
11
make up Soweto itself vary widely. Some counts say that Soweto comprises of 29 townships, whilst others find 34. The differences may be due to confusion arising from the merger of adjoining townships (such as Lenasia and Eldorado Park) with those of Soweto into Regions 6 and 10. The total number also depends on whether the various “extensions” and “zones” are counted separately, or as part of one main suburb. The 2003 Regional Spatial Development Framework arrived at 87 names by counting various extensions (e.g. Chiawelo’s 5) and zones (e.g. Pimville’s 7) separately. The City of Johannesburg’s website groups the zones and extensions together to arrive at 32, but omits Noordgesig and Mmesi Park. Other Soweto townships include Phomolong and Snake Park. Economy Many parts of Soweto rank among the poorest in Johannesburg, although individual townships tend to have a mix of wealthier and poorer residents. In general, households in the outlying areas to the northwest and southeast have lower incomes, while those in southwestern areas tend to have higher incomes. The economic development of Soweto was severely curtailed by the apartheid state, which provided very limited infrastructure and prevented residents from creating their own businesses. Roads
12
|
Best of Soweto
remained unpaved, and many residents had to share one tap between four houses, for example. Soweto was meant to exist only as a dormitory town for black Africans who worked in white houses, factories, and industries. The 1957 Natives (Urban Areas) Consolidation Act and its predecessors restricted residents between 1923 and 1976 to seven self-employment categories in Soweto itself. Sowetans could operate general shops, butcheries, eating houses, sell milk or vegetables, or hawk goods. The overall number of such enterprises at any time was strictly controlled. As a result, informal trading developed outside the legally-recognised activities. By 1976 Soweto had only two cinemas and two hotels, and only 83% of houses had electricity. And up to 93% of residents had no running water. Using fire for cooking and heating, resulting in respiratory problems that contributed to high infant mortality rates (54 per 1 000 compared to 18 for whites – 1976 figures.) The restrictions on economic activities were lifted in 1977, spurring the growth of the taxi industry as an alternative to Soweto’s inadequate bus and train transport systems. In 1994 Sowetans earned on average almost six and a half times less than their counterparts in wealthier areas of Johannesburg (1994 estimates). Sowetans contribute less than 2% to Johannesburg’s rates. Some Sowetans remain impoverished, and others live in shanty towns with little
or no services. About 85% of Kliptown comprises informal housing. The Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee argues that Soweto’s poor are unable to pay for electricity. The committee believes that the South African government’s privatisation drives will worsen the situation. Research showed that 62% of residents in Orlando East and Pimville were unemployed or pensioners. There have been signs recently indicating economic improvement. The Johannesburg City Council began to provide more street lights and to pave roads. Private initiatives to tap Sowetans’ combined spending power of R4.3 billion were also planned, including the construction of Protea Mall, Jabulani Mall, Maponya Mall, an upmarket hotel in Kliptown, and the Orlando Ekhaya entertainment centre. Soweto has also become a centre for nightlife and culture. Music & Musicians Soweto is credited as one of the founding places for kwaito, which is a style of hip-hop specific to South Africa. This form of music, which combines many elements of house music, American hip-hop, and traditional African music, became a strong force amongst black South Africans.
Soweto has been portrayed in a number of international and local songs. This has helped Soweto’s image and unintentional ‘branding’ as it has been launched into the light of popular culture. Soweto’s ‘trendiness’ has missed no opportunity in riding the wave of this publicity and the spirit and trends have only thrived as a result.
Some famous musicians include Mandoza (Kwaito artist), Yvonne Chaka Chaka and the Grammy award winning Soweto Gospel Choir.
Songs about Soweto r 4JOHFSmTPOHXSJUFS +PF 4USVNNFS GPSNFSMZ of the Clash, referenced Soweto in his solo album Streetcore (song: “Arms Aloft�),
as well as in the Clash track, “Where You Gonna Go (Soweto)â€?, found on the album London Calling (Legacy Edition). r 5IF 6, NVTJD EVP .BUUBĂ Y IBT B TPOH called “Memories of Sowetoâ€? on their 2007 album Rhythm & Hymns. r 4PXFUP JT NFOUJPOFE JO UIF BOUJ BQBSUIFJE song “Gimme Hope Jo’annaâ€? by Eddy Grant. The line “While every mother in a black Soweto fears the killing of another sonâ€? refers to police brutality during apartheid. r %S "MCBO T TPOH i'SFF VQ 4PXFUPu XBT
Best of Soweto
|
13
of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus on Chris Hani Road from 6pm to 10pm in the first weekend of September. Organised by the Cape Wine Academy, the festival attracts well over 6000 wine enthusiasts, over 100 of South Africa’s finest wineries and well over 900 fine wines to taste. In 2010, the expanded 3-night festival exceeded organisers’ expectations, attracting well over 7,500 visitors to the wine event in Soweto.
included in the 1994 album Look Who’s Talking. r .FYJDBO HSPVQ 5JKVBOB /P SFDPSEFE UIF song “Soweto” for their first album “No”, in reference to the city and the movements. r i4PXFUPu JT BMTP UIF OBNF PG B TPOH CZ UIF rap group Hieroglyphics. r "NFSJDBO CBOE 7BNQJSF 8FFLFOE SFGFST to its own musical style, a blend of indie rock and pop with African influences, as “Upper West Side Soweto”, based on the same description of Paul Simon’s album Graceland. Festivals The Soweto Wine Festival has built up cult status since its launch in 2004. The threenight wine festival is hosted at the University
14
|
Best of Soweto
The Soweto Festival Expo, now in its seventh year, took a major step forward in 2011 with the move to the Joburg Expo Centre at Nasrec. This became necessary due to the expansion of the event, and the need to offer activities which the former venue, the UJ Soweto Campus could not accommodate. The Soweto Festival Expo is the principal event in Soweto that draws together business, SMMEs, youth, community organisations, consumers and all the people of Soweto on an annual basis to celebrate Soweto’s richness and diversity. It is an event not to be missed. Fiction & Cinema The marches by students in Soweto are briefly mentioned in a novel by Linzi Glass named ‘Ruby Red’, which had been nominated for the Carnegie Medal in 2008. Soweto is also mentioned in the novel, ‘Waiting for the Rain’ by Sheila Gordon. Soweto was characterised in the American film Stander. The film presented the story of Andre Stander, a rogue police captain
who sympathised with the irrational state of apartheid and its corruption by becoming a bank thief. The Soweto uprising riots provided Stander’s breaking point in the film. In 2006, Sara Blecher and Rimi Raphoto made the popular documentary “Surfing Soweto”, about young kids “surfing” on the roof of Soweto trains, and the social problem this represents. The 2009 film District 9 was shot in Soweto, specifically Chiawelo. The plot involves a species of aliens who arrive on Earth in a starving and helpless condition, seeking aid. The originally benign attempts to aid them turn increasingly oppressive due to the overwhelming numbers of aliens and the cost of maintaining them, and to increasing xenophobia on the part of humans who treat the intelligent and sophisticated aliens like animals while taking advantage of them for personal and corporate gain. The aliens are housed in shacks in a slum-like concentration camp called “District 9”, which is in fact modern-day Soweto; an attempt to evacuate the aliens to another camp leads to violence and a wholesale slaughter by South African mercenary security forces (a reference to historical events in “District Six”, a black neighbourhood subjected to forced segregation during the apartheid years). The parallels to apartheid South Africa are obvious but not explicitly remarked on in the film. The Bang Bang Club is a 2010 CanadianSouth African film written and directed by
Steven Silver and stars Taylor Kitsch as Kevin Carter, Ryan Phillippe as Greg Marinovich, Frank Rautenbach as Ken Oosterbroek and Neels Van Jaarsveld as João Silva. They portray the lives of four photojournalists active within the townships of South Africa during the apartheid period, particularly between 1990 and 1994, from when Nelson Mandela was released from jail to the 1994 elections. THE FUTURE Soweto’s past is littered with its fair share of perennial problems – but its future will be written by those who are showcased in the pages that follow. All we know now – is that its brightness will eclipse the shadow of the past.
Best of Soweto
|
15
Soweto Icon
Tokyo Sexwale The South African businessman, politician, anti-apartheid activist and first premier of Gauteng – is one of Soweto’s, and the country’s, most influential people.
Mosima Gabriel Sexwale was born on the 5th of March 1953 in Soweto. He is more commonly known as Tokyo Sexwale, his nickname derived from his love of the sport karate when he was a boy. Sexwale is the current Minister of Human Settlements of South Africa and has been described as a charismatic leader. As an anti-apartheid activist fighting for freedom against the struggle, Sexwale was imprisoned on Robben Island in 1977 with Nelson Mandela. He had been in exile since 1975 where he had received military training in the Soviet Union. He was arrested on his return in 1976 and charged with terrorism and conspiracy and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Mandela later appointed him as the first premier of Gauteng Province post the first democratic general elections in 1994. He became a major businessman when he retired as premier in 1998. His business practices have included his role as the Non-Executive Chair of Mvelaphanda Holdings which is worth R1.9-billion (2010). Sexwale was a member of the World Cup 2010 Preparatory Committee and sat on the Board of Directors for 2010 FIFA World Cup. He’s also a member of Brookings Institution’s International Advisory Council and Group Five. From his socialist roots, Sexwale successfully transformed himself into one of South Africa’s wealthiest men. Sexwale’s personal life includes a love story which blossomed against all odds. He is married to Judy van Vuuren, a white paralegal he met while in Robben Island. Van Vuuren partially represented Sexwale during his years on the island and her many visits soon nurtured a secret mutual affection. They married soon after his release in 1990, after 13 years in jail. Together they have two children. Sexwale has two other children from his first marriage. Many South Africans see Tokyo Sexwale as being a potential Presidential Candidate. On 10 May 2009, South Africa’s new President Jacob Zuma appointed the veteran Sexwale as Minister of Human Settlements. Tokyo Sexwale’s focus is currently on the area of sanitation as he feels strongly that it is a human rights violation to be without access to running water and toilets. He has joined forces with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela in order to combat this social issue in his capacity as Minister of Human Settlements. This compassion has meant that his work extends beyond the realm of politics and business. He is greatly involved in philanthropic work, and sits on the board of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Global Philanthropists Circle of the Synergos Institute, the Business Trust and the Robben
Island Ex-Prisoners Trust. He is also a patron of a number of societies such as Johannesburg Child and Family Welfare Society, Streetwise South Africa, Save the Family Fund (families affected by apartheid violence) and The Sky is No Limit (hi-tech education in computers and aviation to disadvantaged youth). He entered the realm of television presenting when he hosted South Africa’s version of The Apprentice – with the implication being that he is the Donald Trump of South Africa. Sexwale’s list of honours and awards include the Légion d’honneur from France, an honorary doctorate in technology from Nottingham Trent University, an honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from De Montfort University, the Order of the Freedom of Havana (Cuba), the Cross of Valour (Ruby Class) from South Africa, and the Reach and Teach Leadership Award, from the United States. He has regularly featured in the lists of the ‘Top 100 Great South Africans’ and the top 100 wealthiest South Africans. He holds various positions, such as Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology, an honorary colonel in the South African Air Force and chair of the Council for the Support of National Defence. International organisations include his role as President of the South African/Russian Business, Technological and Cultural Association and Vice President of the South African/Japanese Business Forum. He is also an Honorary Consul General of Finland in South Africa. As one of South Africa’s most influential people, Tokyo Sexwale has inspired and encouraged many. He has paved the way for many aspiring Sowetans to achieve what they aspire to – through passion, hard work and determination.
Best of Soweto
|
17
Soweto Icon
Geoffrey Qhena, CEO of IDC of SA Limited Meet one of the most successful businessmen to have hailed from Soweto.
18
|
Best of Soweto
Geoffrey Mvuleni Qhena was born in Soweto on the 4th of November 1965. He has been the CEO of the Industrial Development Corporation of SA Limited (IDC), the leading development finance institution in South Africa, since 2003. He is a Chartered Accountant by profession having qualified in 1993 and a member of the SA Institute of SA’s (Saica). He also holds a certificate in Advanced Tax Certificate from the University of South Africa. He lectured at the University of Johannesburg (former Vista University) and was a Senior Manager in the restructuring department of Transnet before being appointed at the IDC as the Chief Financial Officer in 2003. Geoffrey Qhena has held various other positions on boards of major companies and is currently the Non-Executive Director of Nozal in Mozambique. Mr Qhena is the chairman of Foskor, one of the world’s largest producers of phosphate
and phosphoric acid. He also serves on the board of Acerinox, a leading worldwide player in stainless steel manufacturing with an office in Madrid, Spain. He is married to Esther Nomvula Nkosi with whom he has three sons. His main objectives at the IDC are to promote entrepreneurs and thereby stimulate job creation, focusing on helping new SMEs he sees potential in.
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is a state-owned national finance institution that has helped companies from empowerment projects to small farming companies by providing them with finance to gain a hold in export markets. They have also funded parastatals such as Eskom, by investing in power plants.
Best of Soweto
|
19
Soweto Icon
Advocate Richard Moloko - Moloko Investment Group Moloko Investment Group is a 100% BEE owned company and a diversiďŹ ed investment vehicle whose business strategy is to selectively invest in four main portfolios with medium to long term growth potential so as to provide a viable investment vehicle.
Advocate Richard Thabo Moloko
MIG is headed by founder and Chairman, Advocate Richard Thabo Moloko, a Harvard trained lawyer turned businessman and a robust management team. Richard Thabo Moloko was raised in Soweto in the suburb of Thladi. Now 36, he matriculated in 1982
20
|
Best of Soweto
and then attended the University of the NorthWest where he obtained his BProc degree in 1988. He completed his LLB at the University of the Witwatersrand in 1999 and in 1992 was admitted to the Johannesburg Bar. He joined the Wits Law Clinic in 1994 after practicing
privately. During this time he also studied part time for his High Diploma in Taxation at Wits and his Masters degree in law at the University of Pretoria. He then want to Harvard and obtained another Masters degree in Law in 1998.
He was also involved with the restructuring of the gambling industry’s policies. He was snapped up by Akani Leisure (Akani Egoli at Gold Reef City) after having been noted for his successful investment in the industry. He was instrumental in the conception of Gold Reef City Casino. One of his focuses has been empowering young people. The hope for the job market is to increase prosperity for the population – particularly in Soweto. His movement has been in celebration of Africa’s successes. This led to the decision to create Moloko Investment Group (MIG). Overview MIG’s portfolios include hospitality, leisure and lifestyle, telecommunications and resources. These portfolios are carefully considered given their high potential high returns. Through its hospitality and lifestyle portfolios, MIG employs more than 200 employees. Recently MIG established an employees’ trust to reward its employees whereby employees become eligible to employment. The Moloko Foundation MIG takes cognisance of the fact that South Africa just like any other developing nations has numerous challenges. Our societies continue to be strewn with vestiges of the past which continuously continue disempowering various sections of our populace. Whereas the government has a duty to assist its citizens overcome the various challenges, it cannot achieve this on its own without the assistance of various sections of the community especially the business sector. It is against this backdrop and in support of sustainable community development, MIG has established The Moloko Foundation which focuses on: Sports Education and Empowering young professionals from previously disadvantaged communities in various activities. He’s been involved with young entrepreneurs during the transition period of the new government seeking new tenders. During this time he was involved in various projects and tenders, but his passion for entrepreneurship and enterprise
development was awakened. He was part of the team that formed the Youth Investment Network which bidding for a local radio station and later won the sought independent television broadcaster.
The Place - No. 1 Sandton Drive Tel: + 27 11 944 9600 www.molokoinvestmentgroup.co.za
Best of Soweto
|
21
Soweto Icon
Dr Irvin Khoza Dr Irvin Khoza is not only one of South Africa’s greatest soccer figures, but also one of Soweto’s most prolific residents.
22
|
Best of Soweto
Although born in Alexandra on 27 January 1948, Khoza finished school at Orlando High School in Soweto. Nicknamed the ‘Iron Duke’, Khoza is Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the Premier Soccer League, and was previously the Vice-President of the South African Football Association. His soccer career with Orlando Pirates began when he became the secretary in 1980 and then took over the ownership reigns in 1991. As chairman, Khoza was instrumental in securing the Premier Soccer League’s current sponsor, Absa Group Limited. He made African history after securing the winning bid for South Africa as Chairman of the country’s 2010 FIFA World Cup bid. It was only natural for him to step into the shoes as Chairman of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa.
Hare University in the Eastern Cape, although he was prevented from completing his studies after he was expelled for anti-apartheid activities. Khoza was made an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy by the University of Zululand in 2004 in recognition of his contribution to sports development. In 2009, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) honoured Khoza by making him an Honorary Colonel of the Logistical Division of the SANDF in thanks for his work done after the successful FIFA Confederations Cup. He has also received the Order of Ikhamanga (Silver) from President Jacob Zuma in 2011
for his contribution to South Africa’s winning bid for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and for excellence in the organisation of the event. Khoza is also a highly successful businessman and has amassed wealth through property and construction. He bought the Freedom Square shopping centre in Kliptown for R42-million and has been the director of a number of companies. He is renowned for making a special appearance in his team’s dressing room without fail before they face their arch rivals, the Kaizer Chiefs. Khoza is married to wife Mutina.
His great experience in soccer administration began at the tender age of 14 when he became the secretary of the Alexandra Football Association. This experience has assured him good stead at the helm of one of South Africa’s biggest football clubs formed in 1937, Orlando Pirates FC. In 1995, Orlando Pirates became the only South African team to have won the prestigious African Champions League Cup, after beating Asec Mimosa of Ivory Cost for the title. Pirates are also currently the only team in southern Africa to have won the title. After school, Khoza was a student at Fort
Best of Soweto
|
23
Soweto Icon
Kaizer Motaung: Mr Kaizer Chiefs By Brad Morgan
24
|
Best of Soweto
In a sense, South Africa’s favourite soccer club never plays an away match – Kaizer Chiefs, founded by SA soccer legend Kaizer Motaung, draws more supporters at away games than its opposition ‘home’ teams. As a youngster, Motaung dreamt of pulling on the black and white strip of the legendary Soweto club Orlando Pirates. At the age of 16 his dream came true, and he quickly established himself as one of the stars of the side. Then, in 1968, former West Ham United player Phil Woosnam, who was managing the Atlanta Chiefs in the recently formed North American Soccer League (NASL) in the United States, came to Africa looking for new talent. He recruited Motaung after trials held in Zambia. A shock to the system At first the move was a big shock to the system for the young striker. He arrived from sunny Africa to the cold of winter in Atlanta, and to top it all was carrying an injury that he had picked up in his last match in South Africa. After struggling to come to terms with the weather and the injury, he finally made his debut in a friendly game against England’s Manchester City, as a substitute. Motaung scored twice, and ended the season being voted Rookie of the Year after scoring 16 goals in 15 matches. He was the top scorer in the league and was voted onto the NASL’s All Star Team. In 1971 Motaung made the NASL’s All Star team again. He returned to South Africa, along with Jomo Sono, who had also been playing in the NASL, for the New York Cosmos. Both players decided to create their own teams. Motaung founded Kaizer Chiefs, named after his NASL team, while Sono too named his club after his NASL team. Today both clubs play in the South African Premier Soccer League. Tough start for Chiefs However, it was anything but smooth going for Motaung to get Chiefs off the ground. He wanted to found a professionally run club based on his experiences in the United States, but there were officials that were opposed to this. Many people had expected him to return to Pirates, and some of them didn’t take well to his decision to form his own team. “We lived with a lot of threats and our lives were in danger because people couldn’t accept our departure from Pirates. There was a lot of insecurity in the air,” says Motaung. He toured the country to recruit players, but, says the Chiefs’ boss, many people didn’t
take the upstart team seriously, thinking that the club would soon die a quiet death.
Soccer League executive, as well as the South African Football Association (Safa) executive.
Those people were mistaken, however, and Motaung succeeded in assembling a good mix of veterans nearing the end of their careers and keen young players eager to make a name for themselves. With the help of some business partners and some of his own money, the club soon became a force to be reckoned with.
The birth of the Premier Soccer League But after Orlando Pirates won the African Champions Cup in 1995 he got together with Pirates’ boss Irvin Khoza, and the idea for the present-day South African Premier League (PSL) was born. The PSL has helped bring sponsors and money into the game.
The most successful team in South Africa Motaung’s charisma and big following drew some supporters away from Pirates, while others that had not previously supported any club took Chiefs to heart. Very quickly the club became the most successful team in South Africa, enjoying support far and wide, so much so that it can fairly be claimed that Kaizer Chiefs no longer play any away matches, because their supporters always outnumber those of the home team.
Motaung serves as a member of the PSL’s Board of Governors today, besides running Kaizer Chiefs, and is also on Safa’s executive committee. His club remains the benchmark for others in South Africa, with sponsors flocking to the table to try to do deals with Motaung. Chiefs set the standard for professionalism in the country, and the club is the envy of others across the African continent.
Since his playing days, Motaung has remained the man steering the Chiefs’ ship from title to title, including winning the Mandela Cup in the African competition in 2001 in only the club’s second season in Africa.
Motaung has indicated that he would welcome a position with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) or with world football’s governing body, FIFA, and there is little doubt that, should he be offered such a position, he would make a big success of it – as he has done with the club born from a man’s dreams.
However, his contributions to soccer have extended beyond Chiefs and beyond South Africa. Motaung served on the National
www.southafrica.info
Best of Soweto
|
25
Soweto Icon
Soccer Icon – Jomo Sono From player, to coach, to owner.
26
|
Best of Soweto
Jomo Sono is one of South Africa’s great soccer heroes. Having hailed from Soweto, his township upbringing played a major role in his pursuit of the beautiful game. Born on the 17 July 1957 in Soweto, Ephraim Matsilela Sono was destined to play soccer. His father, Eric “Scara” Bhamuza Sono, was a midfielder for Orlando Pirates in the early 1960s. He sadly died in a car crash, and after his mother abandoned him, the young eight year-old Ephraim was forced to fend for himself – selling apples and peanuts at soccer games. After struggling under immense strife and hardship, his lucky break came when he was asked to stand in for a player during an Orlando Pirates game which he was attending. His all round skills were taken notice of rapidly after that. Having played for Orlando Pirates for many years, the young Jomo Sono left for a very successful stint in America in 1977, later returning to form his own club, Jomo Cosmos. His clubs also include the Colorado Caribous, the Atlanta Chiefs and the Toronto Blizzard. His career consists of having played with many greats of the game, such as Kaizer Motaung – founder of Kaizer Chiefs – but also most notably including legendary Pele as a teammate. After purchasing the Highlands Park club on his return from America in 1982 and renaming it, Jomo Cosmos has become one of the most notable clubs in South Africa. The name is derived from the founder’s nickname from teammates, Jomo, which means Burning Spear, as well as a tribute to The New York Cosmos, the team he played with in the
US. They have won numerous titles under his leadership, such as the National Soccer League in 1987, the Bobsave Super Bowlin 1990, the Coca Cola Cup in 2002 and the Super Eight in 2003. His team consistently finishes in the top in the South African Premier Soccer League. Jomo Sono has frequently taken up the position of caretaker coach for the national side, Bafana Bafana. One of his major interests in the sport is finding and developing new talent. In this way he has been hugely influential to the sport and its growth in South Africa. As a result, he was named one of South Africa’s top 100 most influential people in 2004. He is married with four children and often credits his late grandparents for giving him the drive and determination he needed to rise above their hardships. With that fighting Soweto spirit, South African soccer has flourished.
Best of Soweto
|
27
Soweto Icon
Lucas Radebe: The Chief by Brad Morgan Lucas Radebe grew up as one of 11 children in a tough part of Soweto during one of the most violent times under apartheid. That he went on to became one of the English Premier League’s most respected players – and South Africa’s most-capped footballer, with 70 appearances for Bafana Bafana – is in many ways a miracle.
Bophuthatswana Soccer League. His breakthrough came in 1989, when talent scouts spotted him and signed him up to play for one of Africa’s most glamorous clubs, Kaizer Chiefs. Thebe Mabanga, in the Mail & Guardian, writes that South African fans remember Radebe in his Kaizer Chiefs days as “a lanky, flamboyant central midfielder who switched to central defense with ease, snuffing out any opposition threat with exquisite, acrobatic scissor kicks and diving headers, and manmarking the most lethal strikers into silence”.
Radebe rose to prominence when he was appointed captain of Leeds United in the English Premiership in 1998, taking charge of a team filled with promising youngsters and some veterans. Under his leadership, the Yorkshire club went on to become the force in English football it once had been. Radebe’s contribution was two-fold: leadership and performance. He was recognised as one of the finest defenders in the Premier League, and earned universal respect from players and fans.
28
|
Best of Soweto
Early days That status was light years removed from his upbringing. Growing up in Diepkloof Zone Four in Soweto township outside Johannesburg, Radebe was regularly witness to violent incidents. At the age of 15 his parents sent him to Bophuthatswana, one of the “homelands” of the apartheid state. He played soccer to keep himself busy – starting out as a goalkeeper before moving to midfield – and joined the ICL Birds in the now-defunct
A shooting When the chance to move to England came up in 1994, Radebe grabbed the opportunity with both hands – his decision influenced in part by an incident that had taken place three years previously. Radebe had been on his way to do some shopping for his mother, accompanied by his brothers, one of his sisters and her baby. While walking along the street, they heard gunfire, but didn’t pay it much attention because, says Radebe: “In Soweto you heard shots all the time”. Next thing he felt a pain in his back. Then he saw the blood, and his left leg went limp. His first thought was that he would never play soccer again. Radebe was rushed to hospital. Amazingly, nothing vital had been damaged; the bullet had entered his back and exited halfway down his thigh. To this day he does not know who shot him, but suspects that someone was hired to shoot him rather than allow him to switch clubs.
‘The Chief’ In September 1994, Radebe and Philemon “Chippa” Masinga moved to Leeds United. Radebe, sold by Kaizer Chiefs and was only included in the deal to keep Masinga happy; as it turned out, he became the more valuable investment. Leeds coach Howard Wilkinson quickly recognised Radebe’s excellent physical attributes and quickly moved him from midfield to centre half. Radebe struggled early on in his English career, partly due to injuries, partly because he did not see eye-to-eye with the manager. When Wilkinson was fired, George Graham took over the reins and gave the South African star a chance to blossom. It was the opportunity Radebe had been waiting for. “The Chief”, as Leeds fans dubbed him, quickly established himself as a player to be reckoned with. He showed an excellent understanding of the game, strong tackling, fine man-to-man marking, and had a calming influence on his teammates. Graham appointed Radebe captain for the 1998/99 season. Graham left Elland Road in October 1998, to be replaced by David O’Leary. The new manager’s first request to the club’s board was to secure the services of Radebe for the rest of his career. O’Leary had served as Graham’s assistant, and understood just how much the South African captain brought to the Yorkshire club. “Lucas should be set in stone and never be allowed to leave”, O’Leary said. The Chief signed a four-year contract, and went on to prove himself a major success.
In 1998/99 Leeds finished fourth in the Premiership, qualifying for the Uefa Cup. The following season they finished third in England and qualified for the higher profile, more lucrative Champions League. Surprising many, the Yorkshire club made it through to the semi-finals. Radebe picked up a knee injury in 2000, and subsequent knee and ankle injuries kept him sidelined for the better part of two years. Bafana Bafana In 2002, he fought his way back into the game, and after four matches for Leeds’ reserves, led South Africa for the second time at the World Cup finals. Radebe first played for South Africa in 1992, when the country returned to international football after decades of apartheid-enforced isolation, and was part of South Africa’s 1996 African Nations Cupwinning side. Former national coach Clive Barker, who guided South Africa to victory in the 1996 African Cup of Nations, fondly recalls Bafana Bafana’s 3-0 victory over Ghana in the semifinals. In the lead-up to the tournament, Radebe had been in a battle to overcome a severe knee injury, yet he urged Barker to include him and let him mark the opposition’s best attacker. Against Ghana, it meant Radebe would mark Tony Yeboah. ‘The greatest game’ Yeboah was recognised as one of the best in the world at the time, but, as Barker points out, apart from one stupid pass inside the
first 10 minutes, when Radebe gave the ball away to Yeboah, the Ghanaian ace didn’t get a look-in. “It’s probably the greatest game I have ever seen a South African soccer player play,” reckons Barker. Six years and many injuries later, and Radebe was outstanding once more at the World Cup in Korea and Japan in 2002, his timely interceptions, tackles and intelligent reading of the game frustrating the opposition attack time and again. Bafana Bafana may not have progressed beyond the first round, but five goals, one win, one draw and a losing 3-2 thriller against Spain, one of the pre-tournament favourites, was a big step up from the team’s disappointing showing in France in 1998. In Bafana Bafana’s final game of the tournament, Radebe scored a stunning goal, heading in off the back post from a corner to level matters with Spain. South Africa lost the match, but finally won the respect of the football world – Radebe’s mission was complete. Off the field Radebe’s contribution on the field of play extended way beyond the conventional boundaries for South African and African footballers. His success had a lot to do with making players from Africa more marketable; now every Premiership scout is searching for the next Lucas Radebe. He also acts as a FIFA ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages, and has helped to combat racism in soccer. In 2000 he was honoured with the FIFA Fair Play Award for his efforts to rid the sport of racism, as well as for his work with young children in South Africa. “Lucas is not only a fantastic and fair player on the field, but also has a great personality off the pitch, with a big heart for the children of the world”, said FIFA chairman Antonio Matarrese. Said Radebe: “Football has played an important part in uniting races in South Africa, and that is one of the best things I have done.” www.southafrica.info
Best of Soweto
|
29
Soweto Icon
‘Baby Jake’ Matlala His nickname ‘Baby Jake’ refers to his height of 4ft 10in or 147cm. Regardless of his diminutive size, Matlala packs a colossal punch which has earned him great success and a place in the hearts of many South Africans.
Boxing legend Jacob ‘Baby Jake’ Matlala was born in Meadowlands Soweto in Gauteng on the 1st August 1962. This pintsized former South African boxer became a world champion four times and was voted 72nd in the “100 Greatest South Africans” SABC poll in 2004. Pro Career When Matlala was ten, he began going to the gymnasium with his aspiring boxer father. ‘Baby Jake’ turned professional in 1979 and had his first career fight on the 2nd February 1980 where he defeated Fraser Plaatjie in four rounds in Port Elizabeth. He became the South African Junior Flyweight Champion after only four contests. He then failed in his attempt for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title after losing to Davie McCauley in Belfast, Northern Ireland after a 10th round knockout. Success came after he beat Scotsman Pat Clinton in his hometown of Glasgow for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) flyweight title. His lost his title to Alberto Jiminez after 10 rounds in Hammanskraal, Gauteng. Matlala defeated Michael Carbajal in Las Vegas, USA against all odds on the 19th July 1997, winning him the International Boxing Association (IBA) flyweight title in what some have hailed as his best fight of his career. Later he relinquished the title when
30
|
Best of Soweto
Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala and his wife Mapule
challenging Hawk Makepula for the open WBO junior flyweight title, but unfortunately ended up losing. His former sparring partner, Peter Culshaw, defeated him on points for the World Boxing Union (WBU) flyweight title. He came back to claim his second World Championship title when defeating Paul Wier in Glasgow for the WBU flyweight title in February 1999.
known as an all-action fighter who rose above his height disadvantage by overcrowding his opponents. His determination and spirit outshone his stature. Matlala currently lives in Johannesburg with his wife of 21 years, Mapule, and their two sons Tshepo and Masego.
Retirement After a 22 year professional boxing career, Matlala hung up his gloves after a memorable final fight on the 3rd March 2002 at the age of 40. He defeated Columbian Juan Herrera at Carnival City in Brakpan, Gauteng to win the WBU junior flyweight title in seven rounds – becoming the only South African boxer ever to have won four world titles. What made the occasion even more memorable was the ringside presence of Nelson Mandela as well as American actor Will Smith half way through the fight. Matlala felt so honoured at this gesture for his farewell fight, that he presented the WBU belt to Mandela. His career included 27 stoppages, 54 wins, 12 losses and two draws. Matlala jokingly said in an interview that the reason why he retired was that he’d run out of short people to fight. Not only does Matlala remain South Africa’s greatest boxing legend, but he is also the shortest ever world champion. He was
Best of Soweto
|
31
Soweto Icon
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela
32
|
Best of Soweto
South African politician Winnie MadikizelaMandela was born as Nomzamo Winfreda Madikizela on 26 September 1936 in Bizana Transkei, now known as the Eastern Cape. She was one of eight children and her mother, Nomathamsanqa Mzaidume, taught Home Economics at a local school. Sadly, her mother passed away when Winnie was eight and the children were left in the care of their father Columbus, who worked at the Forestry and Agriculture Department of the Transkei government. Winnie matriculated at Shawbury High School and went on to obtain her diploma in Social Work at the Jan Hofmeyer School in Johannesburg. Regardless of the oppression of the time, not only of black people but also women in general, Winnie completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations at the University of Witwatersrand. Her family’s financial and social status had thus far protected Winnie from the social ills of the time. It was only when she worked as a social worker at Baragwaneth Hospital (as the first black social worker in South Africa), that Winnie became aware of the vast inequality defined by the gap between the white privileged minority and the black povertystricken majority. She saw first-hand the poor medical facilities offered to black people. Winnie Mandela’s life in politics then began as she met with other youths from the ANC and became involved in the movement, resulting in the first of many arrests as she was detained as a political prisoner in 1958. She found her niche in encouraging women to stand up to the unjust laws of the time and has actively been involved in helping women and children ever since, most notably at the helm of the African National Congress Women’s League. Winnie married Nelson Mandela in 1958 and they had two children together, Zenani in 1959 and Zindziwa in 1960. Although they were still married when Nelson Mandela was elected as President in 1994, they had in fact separated two years earlier. Winnie Mandela was First Lady of the newly democratic South Africa for two years before she and Nelson Mandela divorced in 1996. During her husband’s 27-year long imprisonment, Winnie emerged as an independent leader of promoting freedom after having to learn to cope well on her own. Referred to by many as the ‘Mother of the Nation’, Winnie is a struggle icon of Soweto, having lived in the struggle stronghold during the formative apartheid years after marrying Nelson Mandela. Still a resident of Soweto, Winnie lives in the same suburb. The Mandela house on Vilakazi Street in Soweto is now a museum and reminder of their sacrifices.
Winnie has contributed to Soweto society, not only physically through initiatives such as the Winnie Mandela School in Soweto, but also through her role in what the township is today. Winnie is a controversial figure who has been loved and loathed in equal amounts. However, there is no denying her determination and charisma in commanding attention with all she meets. She is able to captivate an audience with her intense gaze and speech. Her heated and passionate struggle speeches often alluded to a more militant response to apartheid.
She is also known as a beautiful woman who takes pride in her dress. Even through her personal drive, it is said that Winnie gracefully conducts interviews with warmth and intelligence. Winnie’s notable elected positions include that of Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology from 1994 to 1996 and member of the South African Parliament from May 2009. She is also a member of the ANC’s National Executive Committee.
Best of Soweto
|
33
Soweto Icon
The Princess of Africa – Yvonne Chaka Chaka The icon of entertainment not only in South Africa, but the entire continent, hailed from humble beginnings in Soweto and extended to stardom as a bubblegum pop princess in the 1980s, to TV presenter, to businesswoman, to active philanthropist.
34
|
Best of Soweto
in part after her extensive touring through Africa in the late 1980s where she would play concerts in Nigeria, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Congo. This, coupled with her Pan African flavours, was what made her into South Africa’s music icon for Africans. She has enjoyed this status for 20 years. She also has two diplomas from UNISA – one in adult education, and the other in local government, management and administration. She qualified in Speech and Drama at Trinity College in London in 1997. She has released multiple albums including “Burning Up”, “Sangoma”, “Who’s The Boss”, “Motherland”, “ Be Proud to be African”, “Thank You Mr DJ”, “Back on my Feet”, “Rhythm of Life”, “Who’s got the Power”, “Bombani (Tiko Rahini), “Power of Afrika”, “Yvonne and Friends” and “Kwenzenjani”. She has also performed for many Headsof-State in Africa, having notably sang at Nelson Mandela’s 85th birthday, as well as for Bill Clinton and Thabo Mbeki. She has also rubbed shoulders with many influential people, including Oprah and the Queen, and has shared the stage with Bono, Youssou N’Dour, Queen, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela. Yvonne gives mosquito nets to Chieftainess Bedyango from Mukuni Village in Zambia, who at 42 has returned to school to emphasis the importance of education to her community. Born in Dobsonville Soweto in 1965, Yvonne Machaka had a tough upbringing. Her father died when she was 11, leaving her mother to support her three daughters on her domestic worker’s wage. She holds the title as the first black child to appear on South African television with her public debut in 1981 on the talent show Sugar Shack. Yvonne Chaka Chaka credits her musical ability to both her parents who lovingly pumped the flow of music into her blood. Her first memories of music are of her strumming an upturned tin and singing into a broomstick, which later evolved into Church appearances. She started singing professionally at the age of 19 in 1985 when she was discovered in Johannesburg by Phil Hollis of Dephon Records. Adored by many, Yvonne Chaka Chaka’s first hit “I’m in Love with a DJ” in 1984 shot the teenage singer to fame, selling 35 000 copies. Her music was a unique blend of disco, mdaganga (urban South African music), synthesized sounds and English lyrics. This blend she created with producer at the time, Sello ‘Chicco’ Twala quickly caught on and
became known as the ‘bubblegum’ sound. Yvonne Chaka Chaka stood at the helm of this music during the 1980s along with compatriot Brenda Fassi. Her renowned alto voice was showcased beautifully in her 1988 album Umgombothi, which means African sorghum beer. The song Umgombothi was featured in the opening scene of the 2004 movie, Hotel Rwanda. She emerged as the ‘African Princess’ known and loved today when she shed her disco image and instead donned an African headdress styled with African fabrics. This was
But music is not Chaka Chaka’s only passion. She is actively involved in numerous philanthropic projects, such as the “Giving and Sharing” project, fundraising benefits, the Orlando Childrens’ Home, as well as helping with HIV work. She sits on the boards of several charitable organisations and NGOs, such as the Tomorrow Trust. Her focus is on the rights of women and children and her compassion in these areas has formed her into a valiant warrior. She is also the UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador against malaria. Her own charity, The Princess of Africa Foundation is a platform where she can truly participate in philanthropy on the level at which her endless compassion yearns for. She is also a leading businesswoman and educator, owning a limousine company with her husband, as well as running her own music label and production company (Chaka Chaka Promotions and Chaka Chaka Music). She also finds time to teach literacy part time at UNISA. Chaka Chaka is married to Soweto physician Dr Mandlalele ‘Tiny’ Mahinga and together they have four sons. She has won numerous accolades and awards and is considered a hero, mentor and role model for many – a true African icon.
Best of Soweto
|
35
Soweto Icon
Soweto Gospel Choir This world renowned, award winning group, is highly sought after as they find themselves on every concert’s must-have list. With such humble beginnings, even though they have travelled the world – their roots are still firmly in Soweto.
Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com 36
|
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
|
37
Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com 38
|
Best of Soweto
Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com
Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com
The choir was formed in Soweto in November 2002 by Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Clifford Hocking (promoters), Beverly Bryer (Executive Producer/Director) and David Mulovhedzi (Musical Director). The choir includes 52 members, and although they have a contemporary feel, there is an earthiness which makes them the quintessence of the African voice. Their sounds evoke the celebration of South Africa and force the listener to hear with the heart. The Soweto Gospel Choir showcases the best vocal talent that Africa, and the world, has to offer in this art form. Their sound is made up of rhythms and harmonies in both acapella as well as with musical accompaniment of percussion and a four-piece band. The full colour and emotion of their performance is not only evident in their sound, but also in the accompanied dances and vibrant costumes. The energy they bring with them is electrifying. Performing in six of the 11 official languages of South Africa, the choir performs both traditional African music as well as contemporary styles. The international fame they have created for themselves was almost instant, although not
Soweto Gospel Choir, Photographer: © Lorenzo Di Nozzi 2011 – www.lorenzodinozzi.com
without great passion and hard work as a result of their determined spirits. They have performed for Nelson Mandela numerous times as well as at the annual 46664 Concerts. They also performed in the South African leg of Live Earth in 2007, as well as contributing to Goin’ Home: A Tribute to Fats Domino (Vanguard) in the same year. They sang with John Legend at the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, and then at the 2010 FIFA World Cup final draw on 4 December the same year – as well as the Kick Off Concert in 2010. They’ve played the top selling show at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as concerts at the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Unite of the Stars Gala Banquet.
They have collaborated with U2, Queen, Anastasia, Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Cliff, Eurythmics, Celine Dion, Johnny Clegg, Corinne Bailey Ray, Angelique Kidio, Danny K, Amy Winehouse, Josh Groban, Simple Minds, Eddy Grant, Loyiso, Vusi Mahlasela, as well as the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Their celebrity shoulder rubbing doesn’t end there however, as they have performed for Bill Clinton, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, Tokyo Sexwale, Samuel L Jackson, Alfred Woodard and Carlos Santana. Oprah Winfrey invited the Soweto Gospel Choir to perform for her and 200 of her celebrity guests at her New Year’s Eve party held at Sun City, and they have been guests on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” as well as “late Night with Conan O’Brien”. Their numerous awards include a Helpmann Award for “Best Contemporary Music Concert” in 2003, an American Gospel Music Award for “Best Choir” in 2003, and a Gospel Music Award for “Best International Choir” in 2004, along with numerous other nominations. They have released four albums with Shanachie Records, including Voices from Heaven (2005), Blessed (2006), African Spirit (2007), and Grace (2010). These albums have collectively received scores of rave reviews as well as pole position on music charts, such as Billboard’s World Music Chart. They received their first Grammy Award in 2007 for “Best Traditional World Music” for their album “Blessed”. They won the same award the following year for “African Spirit” – winning two Grammys in two years, which is one of their greatest accomplishments. They went on to have two more Grammy nominations including a win. They have travelled to countries all over the world, such as Singapore, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, and throughout Europe. They have toured in many nations – collecting fans from all corners of the earth. However, they still do not forget their Soweto roots, with the township not only at the forefront of their sound, but also at the forefront of their hearts. They are involved in numerous charities and philanthropic work and much of their concerts’ proceeds go to charities and organisations.
Best of Soweto
|
39
Soweto Icon
Soweto – the birthplace of Kwaito and its stars Kwaito music was a product of the new-found freedom of the ‘90s in democratic South Africa. As a result, its catchy dance beats are uplifting, echoing the celebration of the time.
Kwaito combines slower tempo house music with African sounds and samples, and is hugely popular with the black youth of South Africa. It mostly consists of catchy melodic and percussive loop samples, deep bass lines, and vocals. It borrows from the hip hop style through use of the art of rapping, as lyrics are sung, rapped and shouted. Kwaito brought a township sub-culture of postapartheid South Africa into the mainstream of the local music industry. The word Kwaito is township slang from Gauteng and originates from the Afrikaans word kwaai, which generally means strict or angry, but also a loose translation of the English term cool. Township slang often draws words from Afrikaans and these words appear in Kwaito in new contexts. It was essentially music born from Ghetto life and
40
|
Best of Soweto
early influences were drawn from gangster culture. What democracy meant for emerging artists is that they could now freely express themselves without sanctions and had access to international markets and the outside world – an experience they were denied under apartheid. This new-found freedom meant that Arthur Mafokate and his brother Makhendla, Oskido, Boom Shaka, and Mdu Masilela could become the first artists to produce a popular Kwaito hit outside of the Black townships. It was only from 2001 that Kwaito artists and music found their way to the International markets of Europe and the United States. Schools in Soweto and other townships had previously not been able to offer music
programs and classes due to a lack of funding. Kwaito however, didn’t require instruments, music knowledge, or large performance spaces. Its accessibility was immediately recognised and accepted by schools and youth in the townships. Kwaito’s mainstream status has introduced a new era of collaborations in the South African music industry across genres. One such well known collaboration was between R&B artist Danny K and Kwaito performer, Mandoza. Mandoza is often credited with being the ‘father’ of mainstream Kwaito. The honour of ‘King’ of Kwaito however is hotly contested between the pioneers Arthur Mafokate and M’du Masilela. The TV show Jam Alley is a South African talent show which has been a platform for
many young Kwaito artists such as Mandoza, Mzambiya, and Zola (who is now a regular on TV presenting his own show). Other artists of the genre include Mzekezeke, Brown Dash, Mahoota, Spikiri, Chippa, Msawawa, Mshoza, Thembi Seite, Thandiswa Mazwai, Brikz, TKZee, Unathi, and the late African pop and Kwaito star Brenda Fassie. With their iconic music status, comes fame and celebrity who influence cultural trends. This has extended into Namibia and Botswana which now have independent Kwaito music industries. Kwaito hits often attract a bit of media attention as the lyrics have frequently erred on the side of controversy. This is a major factor of any form of free expression. As a general rule however, Kwaito is apolitical. It therefore does not deal with political injustices of the past, but looks forward in a celebration of new freedom.
KABELO from TKZEE performing during FIFA’s Football for Hope Festival 2010 – photo by Martha Richards
Best of Soweto
|
41
Soweto Icon
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo Winner of Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award – The Soweto Hotel.
Five years ago on October 27, 2007, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo opened the doors of the Soweto Hotel – Johannesburg’s first blackowned hotel, managed by a black female. The hotel initially opened as a Holiday Inn as part of the Freedom Square development, before converting to its current concept, which features 48 rooms (including two presidential suites), conference rooms, and a bar – not forgetting the Jazz Maniacs restaurant, renowned for its live jazz performances every month. Influenced by her father, Sangweni-Siddo had originally set out to be a doctor and studied the appropriate sciences at high school. Strangely enough, one day when taking a bus ride, she was influenced by a girl she didn’t know, to consider a course in hotel management. She recalls with some laughter how her father was disappointed and asked her if she wanted to spend her life asking people if their food was alright.
42
|
Best of Soweto
Chairperson of the HR and Remuneration Committee, as a member of the Sandton Tourism Association (STA), and as a Director on the Board of South African Tourism. Her recent appointment as Managing Director of the Birchwood Hotel and O R Tambo Conference Centre once again affirms her calibre, experience, and the regard with which she is held in the industry. Sangweni-Siddo also continues to oversee the Soweto Hotel. She attended and graduated from the renowned Les Roches School of Hotel Management in Switzerland. Her passion for the industry then compelled her to complete a BSc in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management at Pennsylvania State University (USA), from where she joined the Global Hyatt Corporation in Washington DC. She started as an intern and after six months was promoted to a permanent position as assistant front office manager. This was just the start of a stellar career in the business of hospitality and tourism. Sangweni-Siddo has travelled extensively; has lived and worked in hotels in Africa, Europe, and America; and she’s climbed the corporate ladder - from Assistant Front Office Manager to the point where her understanding of what’s required in the hotel and tourism industry is acute. Among her plethora of career achievements, she has also served on the boards of the South African Weather Services (SAWS), as
Criteria for the Joburg Tourism Entrepreneur Award include: r " NJOJNVN PG UISFF ZFBST PQFSBUJOH JO UIF tourism industry; r 1SPWJEJOH BO JOOPWBUJWF QSPEVDU PS TFSWJDF in the tourism industry; r 4IPXJOH TVTUBJOBCJMJUZ HSPXUI BOE KPC creation potential; r 1SPWJEJOH FYDFMMFOU TUBOEBSE PG TFSWJDF worthy of being promoted as world class to both local and international audiences; r 0GGFSJOH CFOFĂ UT UP UIF DPNNVOJUZ UIFZ operate in; and r 4IPXJOH DPNNJUNFOU UP TLJMMT EFWFMPQNFOU initiatives for employees.
Tel : + 27 11 527 7300 www.sowetohotel.co.za www.joburgtourism.com
Best of Soweto
|
43
Hotels, Establishments and Entertainment
Hotels in Soweto Ranging from budget to five-star, Soweto has hotels, resorts, inns, boutique hotels, as well as larger guesthouses, which feature all the facilities and services a traveller would expect of a hotel. The majority offer en-suite rooms, public areas, guest lounges and dining areas where breakfast and dinner (lunch usually on request) is available. Guest Houses in Soweto Soweto guest houses and lodges are an ideal alternative to staying at the hotels in the area. These establishments offer rooms with en-suite or shared bathrooms. Many of the services offered at hotels can be expected, such as airport transfers, credit card facilities, and laundry service. Bed and Breakfasts in Soweto Bed and Breakfasts in Soweto provide a number of advantages over staying at a hotel - for the same quality of accommodation, Soweto B&Bs are less expensive than hotels, and gives the opportunity to live as a local and enjoy the knowledge of the hosts. These establishments are usually owner-managed with a personal touch and homely feel. Botle’s Guest House 648 Monyane Street, Dube Village, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa Contact: Ellen Tel: +27 82 838 1886 Cell: +27 82 838 1886
44
|
Best of Soweto
Dibelzo Guesthouse 12 Swartberg Avenue, Alan Manor, Mondeor Contact: Lindi Tel: +27 11 942 2271 Cell: +27 73 374 5090 Email: dibelzoleisure@gmail.com Dithakong Bed & Breakfast 5361 Morobadilepe Street, Zone 5, Pimville Contact: Maria Tel: +27 11 933 1472 Email: dithakongbnb@iburst.co.za Ekhaya Guesthouse 8027 Bacela Str, Orlando West Tel: +27 11 939 2850 Cell: +27 83 472 9390 Email: ekhayagh@telkomsa.net Flossie’s Bed & Breakfast 1161 dube street zone 1, Pimville Tel: +27 11 933 2483 Cell: +27 83 388 9047 Email: florence@flossie.co.za Web: www.flossie.co.za Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers 10823A Pooe Street, Orlando West Contact: Lebo Tel: +27 11 936 3444 Email: lebo@sowetobackpackers.co.za Web: www.sowetobackpackers.com
Lolo’s Guest House 1320 Diepkloof Ext Contact: Lolo or Pauline Tel: +27 11 985 9183 Cell: +27 84 472 7093 MaGora ase Africa Bed & Breakfast 4009 Senoane Street, Orlando East Contact: Sibongile Tel: +27 11 935 4380 Email: magora@iburst.co.za Mookhos Bed & Breakfast 5124 Mqokozo Street, Zone 5, Pimville Contact: Jane Tel: +27 11 933 4696 Email: mookhos@yahoo.com Neo’s Bed & Breakfast 8041 Bacela St, Orlando West, Soweto Tel: +27 11 536 0413 Cell: +27 82 629 2284 Email: snookie@webmail.co.za Nthateng Bed & Breakfast 6991 Inhlwathi St, Orlando West Contact: Nthateng Tel: +27 11 936 2676 Cell: +27 82 335 7956 Email: info@nthateng.co.za
Ribsi’s Bed & Breakfast 1013 Colin Drive ext. Noordgesig Contact: Floyd Cell: +27 84 465 3358 +27 84 449 2929 Web: www.ribsis-bnb.co.za Sis May Bed & Breakfast 2114 Mota Street, Orlando East Tel: +27 11 935 4919 South View Lodge Plot 36 on the Hill, David Street, Meredale Contact: Cherine Tel: +27 83 320 7815 Email: info@southviewlodge.co.za Web: www.southviewlodge.co.za
TDJs Bed & Breakfast 659 Letsatsi Street, Orlando East Contact: Josephine Tel: +27 11 935 7460 Email: josephine.hlatshwayo@gmail.com The Lady Guest House 5545 Mphatlatsamaru Road, Zone 5, Pimville Contact: Ida Tel: +27 11 938 6083 Email: rnkosi@tiscali.co.za The Rose Bed & Breakfast 8024 Bacela Street, Orlando East Contact: Rose Tel: +27 11 939 2737 Cell: +27 82 219 0044 Email: therosebb@iburst.co.za
Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square Cnr Union Ave & Main Rd, @ The Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, Kliptown Tel: +27 11 527 7300 Email: reservations@sowetohotel.co.za Web: www.sowetohotel.co.za
Thuthuwedzo Guest House 1199 Phase 3, Diepkloof Extension Contact: Maureen Tel: +27 11 528 1470 Cell: +27 76 391 5614
Suthukazi Bed & Breakfast 487 Diepkloof Ext. 2, Diepkloof Contact: Dumisani/Mavis Tel: +27 11 985 4558 Email: mavis@suthukazi.co.za
Thuto’s Bed & Breakfast 8123 Ngakane St, Orlando West Contact: Anastacia Tel: +27 11 936 8123 Email: info@thuto.com Vhavenda Hills Bed & Breakfast 11749 Mampuru Street, Orlando West Tel: +27 11 936 0411 Cell: +27 82 633 9469 Email: info@vhupo-tours.com
Ubuntu Kraal: Entertainment and Events Venue Situated in the midst of Soweto, Ubuntu Kraal offers an ideal venue for relaxation. This slice of African tranquillity is only a few kilometres from Johannesburg city. Situated on 2.8 hectares of Orlando West prime real estate, there are 10 self-catering bushveld-style lapas for letting or for holding conferences or functions. The striking centrepiece of Ubuntu Kraal is the conference facility – washed pink with black and white drawings of Zulu shields, assegais and cast-iron three-legged pots on the walls. Holding up to 500 people, it can cater for a wide range of activities, having hosted graduation ceremonies, jazz concerts, weddings and marketing events. 11846 Senokoanyana Street Orlando West Ext Tel: +27 11 982 1050 +27 11 982 8290/1 Email: ubuntukraal@wol.co.za info@ubuntukraal.net Web: www.ubuntukraal.net
For more information on accommodation in Soweto, go to: www.sa-venues.com/ accommodation/soweto.php and www.joburgtourism.com
Best of Soweto
|
45
CHAPTER 1 Tourism, Sports & Places of Interest
46
|
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
|
47
Orlando Towers Orlando Towers is a unique vertical adventure centre, offering the world’s first bungee jump between two cooling towers.
The targets are adventure enthusiasts, tourists, and even the general thrill-seeking public looking for entertainment. The site has already attracted a wide cross-section of the population – male and female ranging from early teens to mature adults, as well as visitors from across the world. Approximately 70% of visitors are from the Gauteng area (including Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria, East and West Rand) and around 30% are domestic and international tourists (particularly Europe and the USA). Orlando Towers opened in July 2008, with a lift ride up the outside of the Western cooling tower and the power swing as the only activity. Since then an internal swing, a bungee jump bridge between the cooling towers, as well as a SCAD dive (a free-fall dive into a net inside the Western cooling tower) have all been added. We have an established site office and multimedia studio. The premises also host the Shiza-Nyama style restaurant called Chaf-Pozi. We started with a staff complement of 15 people, all of whom went through “World Class Customer Service” training. Our jump crew has obtained their Level 1 Rope Access qualification – an industrial qualification – as well as their Basic First Aid certification. Although the activities themselves are utterly compelling and definitive of the nature of the venture, we maintain that the truly memorable part of the Orlando Towers experience is the effectiveness of the staff. We put great effort into ensuring our friendly, professional and authentically Sowetan service at all times. For more information contact: Tel: +27 71 674 4343 Website: www.orlandotowers.co.za
48
|
Best of Soweto
Soweto Outdoor Adventures Soweto Outdoor Adventures specialises in adventure tourism in the heart of the thriving dusty streets of Soweto – at the foot of the iconic Orlando towers.
We offer outdoor activities one would not expect to find in a township. Soweto Outdoor Adventures offers services for: local Sowetans, corporate, tourists, schools, leisure, church groups, birthday parties (from children’s to 21st birthday parties), bachelor/ bachelorette’s parties, and stockvels (saving fund groups). Soweto Outdoor Adventures offers an escape to the great outdoors, rain or sunshine – something for everyone. We specialise in Quad Biking, Paintball, and Adventure Boat Rides. We also offer combo packages for those thrill seekers wanting to experience all three. GUIDED SOWETO QUAD BIKE TOUR The track and trails are lead by experienced guides – ensuring a safe and memorable experience for trail riding at its very best. The trails cater for just about anyone from the complete novice to the more experienced rider. Trails are adapted to meet the skill of the rider. On arrival, guests enjoy an induction and safety briefing. Guests then spend roughly 15 minutes in training, practicing on the quad bikes to ensure everyone is schooled in the basics before heading out on the trail or track. The trail sets off from Orlando along the chosen trail with raw views of beautiful Soweto. At the end of the trail we return to our base location, where you can enjoy some refreshments and reflect on your adventure. After the first trail, the guests enjoy our legendary South African Three Meats Braai (barbeque) of chicken, boerewors and lamb chops – accompanied by rolls and three different salad dishes. PAINTBALL The Battlefield: we have one major field for the paintballing which is used for two games per session. There is a choice of three games to choose from: r &-*.*/"5*0/ Two teams start on opposite sides of the field. The objective is to eliminate all the members of the opposite team.
r '-"( Two teams start at opposite ends of the field. The objective is to retrieve the flag located in the centre of the field and return it to your starting point without getting shot. r 3&4$6& :063 #044 '3*&/% Two teams start at opposite ends of the field. The objective is to rescue your boss or friend by shooting opposite team members whilst attempting to locate and untie the captive. This game is timed so as to gauge who the quickest rescue team is. BOAT RIDES Enjoy riding in a speed-boat, tubing or wakeboarding on the Orlando Towers Dam in
Soweto. This is for anyone who wants a thrill on the water. The boat ride can even be used for wedding photo sessions. We also offer a more peaceful sun downer cruise around the scenic Orlando Towers Dam watching the sun set over South Africa’s largest township.
For more information on packages and prices, contact Kgomotso Pooe: Cell: +27 72 692 8159 Fax: +27 86 566 3368 kgomotso.pooe@gmail.com GPS: 26 15’ 12” S, 27 55’ 30” E www.sowetooutdooradventures.co.za
Best of Soweto
|
49
Soweto and the beautiful game The Home of South African Soccer.
50
|
Best of Soweto
Soweto is home to some of the most loyal soccer fans in the country and as a result these two words go hand-in-hand. This is not surprising considering that three of South Africa’s biggest and most prolific football clubs call this sprawling ‘mega-township’ home; namely, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows. These factors made Soweto an obvious choice for FIFA when planning stadium development for the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup. It was declared the soccer capital of South Africa when the FNB Stadium was renovated in anticipation for South Africa’s debut as hosts of the world’s biggest game – thus becoming Soccer City. As the hub of the World Cup, Soweto lit up and came alive on the world stage – doing South Africa proud. Its colour and jubilance gave international football fans the taste of an authentic South African experience and engraved itself in the hearts of many the world over. FNB Stadium: symbol of transformation Aptly known as Soccer City, FNB Stadium is in Nasrec Soweto and is the biggest stadium in Africa boasting a seating capacity of 94,700. It is conveniently located next to the South African Football Association headquarters (SAFA House) which housed the FIFA offices and the Local Organising Committee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Built during the turbulence of apartheid in 1986, this memorable stadium is steeped in history. It was the site of Nelson Mandela’s first speech in Johannesburg two days after his release from prison in 1990. It was also the site of Chris Hani’s funeral three years later. One of the most glorious moments was when South Africa hosted and won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996 – where FNB Stadium saw one of the most dramatic finals in the tournament’s history. Riding the wave of the memorable Rugby World Cup victory the year before and having been excluded
Best of Soweto
|
51
from international football for three decades – South Africa once again unified in finding victory. The stadium has been witness to South Africa’s metamorphosis into democracy. The symbolism of hosting an event that would see the country come together in celebration in 2010 is evident. It’s not only an icon of soccer in South Africa, but also that of hope – echoing the adage that anything is possible. The redesign was intended as the main association football stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, and therefore bestowed the honour of the venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final between Netherlands and Spain as well as the opening ceremony and opening match. The new stadium was cleverly designed to resemble a calabash or African pot – not only signifying the melting
52
|
Best of Soweto
pot of South African cultures coming together in celebration, but also from a practical point. This rounded shape allows for optimal viewing potential from any angle – giving the crowd the feeling of being up close and personal with what’s happening on the field. The atmosphere inside a full FNB Stadium is electric, with the sound reverberating through your bones. This is also owing to the highly
effective shape, which makes FNB Stadium the premium choice for music concerts. The new stadium has an impressive 184 suites, two VIP suites, one VVIP suite, one super suite, a media section with 2 451 seats and eight TV presentation studios. There are 15 000 parking bays around the stadium and 4 055 VIP underground parking bays.
Post 2010, the stadium can be assured full capacity at LEAST once a year when it hosts the hotly contested Soweto Derby between the two Sowetan football heavyweights: Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The Soweto Derby between the ‘Amakhosi’ and the ‘Buccaneers’ is the highlight of the South African soccer season and sees the stadium come alive in colours of black and white on
one side and black and gold on the opposing side. As the most profitable facility that was built or renovated for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, the success of the FNB Stadium is set to continue. Evidence of this was in its success as the venue for the record breaking 360° World Tour of music legends, U2 as well
as being the venue of choice for numerous other international artists such as Neil Diamond, Kings of Leon and Coldplay. Other Soweto stadiums which benefitted from the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ include the newly rebuilt Orlando Stadium, which served as a training ground, and the refurbished famous Volkswagen Dobsonville Stadium.
Best of Soweto
|
53
The 2010 Legacy When South Africa bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, it was done so on the basis that the tournament should leave a lasting legacy for the country. The impressive FNB Stadium is one of many such legacies left to South Africa to benefit and grow from post 2010. The obvious benefits include the infrastructure investment injection which South Africans will benefit from for decades to come, as well as the massive boost to the tourism industry. The tournament saw 309 000 international visitors from all over the world to the country in what would usually be the country’s low season. The opportunity of marketing the country on a global platform was utilised to the maximum and South Africa will now start to see the benefits of this. The hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ has left a lasting social legacy for football in South Africa, with renewed interest and investment in the sport. One such project which has cemented the growth potential of the sport is the Football Turf Programme of Win in Africa with Africa in line with the South African Football Association’s plan to build a football turf in each of its 52 regions. FIFA’s Football for Hope movement which was implemented in South Africa before the tournament is one of the main vehicles for the continued growth of the sport in South Africa. Other lasting positive effects of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ include:
54
|
Best of Soweto
r 5IF FOWJSPONFOUBM JOáVFODF PG UIF (SFFO (PBM 1SPHSBNNF XIJDI SFEVDFE UIF DBSCPO footprint of the tournament; r 5IF FDPOPNJD MFHBDZ OPU POMZ FWJEFOU in the R3.6 billion spent by the 309 000 visitors during the tournament, but also the projected overall economic benefit of R55.7 billion from the 95% of visitors who said they would return as well as international interest and investment; r +PC HFOFSBUJPO PG BSPVOE KPCT BOE skills development; r " CFUUFS FRVJQQFE UPVSJTN JOEVTUSZ UISPVHI the introduction of around 25 newly built hotels and improved road and air travel infrastructure; r *NQSPWFE QVCMJD USBOTQPSU JOGSBTUSVDUVSF r 4..& BOE #&& DPNQBOZ HSPXUI r 5IF 8PSME $VQ -FHBDZ USVTU VOWFJMFE CZ FIFA and SAFA which is to benefit football development, education, health care and humanitarian areas; r 1PTJUJWF DIBOHF JO GPSFJHO QFSDFQUJPO PG South Africa. Kaizer Chiefs “Amakhosi” Founded on January 7th 1970 in Soweto by Kaizer Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs is nicknamed Amakhosi which means “Lords” or “Chiefs” in Zulu. They play the majority of their home games at the FNB Stadium. The club is the biggest football club in South Africa in terms of success and supporters – with over 16 million fans from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia among others.
Best of Soweto
|
55
Their biggest rivals are Orlando Pirates, a fellow Soweto team which Kaizer Motaung played for in his early playing career. Orlando Pirates “The Buccaneers” Founded in 1937 by migrant worker’s children in Orlando East, Orlando Pirates is one of South Africa’s oldest football clubs. The young boys would gather informally in open spaces in the township to play the beautiful game. Originally called ‘Orlando Boys Club’, they are now named ‘Pirates’ after the 1940 film The Sea Hawk starring Errol Flynn. They have grown to become an official globally recognised ‘Superbrand’ – the only South African soccer team with that status. Orlando Pirates are the first club since the inception of the Premier Soccer League in 1996 to have won three major trophies in a single season, having won the domestic
56
|
Best of Soweto
league, the Nedbank Cup and the MTN 8 during the 2010/2011 season. Moroka Swallows Moroka Swallows are a South African football (soccer) club based in Soweto. The club participates in the Premier Soccer League. Founded in the 1940s by three soccer lovers, Ishmael Lesolang, Strike Makgatha and Johnny Kubheka, Swallows were originally called Congregated Rovers after the company in which most of the players worked. It was later changed to Moroka Rovers and then to Moroka Swallows on 10 October 1947. Their greatest achievement came in 1965 when they won the South African League title and in 1971 they became the first ever soccer team to register as a public company. In 2007 the club celebrated its 60th anniversary. Two years later, Swallows won the Nedbank Cup.
Best of Soweto
|
57
Sports Facilities within Soweto
Orlando Stadium Primarily a soccer venue; Orlando Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium based in Soweto, originally built in 1959. The stadium is home to the Orlando Pirates FC of the Premier Soccer League, and was utilised as a training field for teams participating in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, after being completely rebuilt and reopened on 22 November 2008. Orlando Stadium, by any standard, is a world-class venue and this magnificent stadium can hold a capacity of 40 000 fans. The stadium boasts 120 suites that can be turned into hospitality venues, conference
58
|
Best of Soweto
facilities, meeting rooms, a gymnasium, a fan shop and offices. In addition to this it has two VIP Suites and one VVIP Suite, a 200 seat auditorium and 60 concession kiosks. The new underground parking facility accommodates 2500 cars and a parking area for buses at an open area in the north end. The stadium not only hosts soccer games, but was host to a Super 14 Rugby union semi-final on 22 May 2010, as well as the 2010 Super 14 Final, a week later. This was due to the Bulls’ usual home ground Loftus Versfeld Stadium being unavailable, due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Besides serving as a training venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it also hosted the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert on 10 June 2010, featuring many world famous artists and continues to regularly host International superstars, as well as festivals. Nike Football Training Centre The Nike Football Training Centre has stateof-the-art facilities and is a honing ground for aspiring young South African soccer players. The centre, which also boasts a clubhouse, wellness centre, HIV/Aids testing facility and elite training facilities – include four pitches, a physio room and a gymnasium.
Arthur Ashe In the heart of Soweto, young athletes are inspired to train, but it is more than just about the game, it is about education and learning how to reach their goals and achieve their full potential. The Nike Football Training Centre is not just a sporting facility for youthful daydreams; it is a place for athletes to transform their dreams into reality. Weekend training camps begin early in the mornings, from sunrise to sunset with an energetic environment of trainers teaching children how to become healthy adults. The
Centre has 4 well-kept green football fields; 2 with artificial turf and 2 with natural lawn, with big lights shining bright to show the centre’s powerful playing field at night – adding value to the township of humble houses that surround the historic area. More than 20 000 young athletes (16-19 years old) have benefitted from the facility training that has helped improve their skills and improve opportunities in their lives. Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre and The Soweto Open The Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre in Soweto has
reopened with a new look and a renewed ambition: to groom the famous township’s first tennis champion. The eight-court mixed-use precinct, originally built with funds donated by Arthur Ashe in the 1970s, has been revamped. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ashe’s widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, said it was a special occasion for her and for the legacy of a man who had dedicated a large part of his life to fighting social injustice. “In 1976, Arthur felt compelled to build a tennis court in a township where underprivileged and sidelined people stayed,” she said. “Today a tennis
Best of Soweto
|
59
Kliptown. The golf course was established in 1974 and has had many name changes; from 1JNWJMMF (PMG $PVSTF UP 4PXFUP 8FTU $PVOUSZ $MVC 1JNWJMMF (PMG $MVC BOE VMUJNBUFMZ JT OPX named Soweto Country Club. The golf course has a long history; it had no proper fairways and the greens were NBEF PG TBOE (PMGFST GSPN EJGGFSFOU VOJPOT associations fought for the use of the facility, simply because it was the only one in the DPVOUSZ VTFE CZ 4PVUI "GSJDBO #MBDL (PMGFST In 1980, development started and the sand greens were converted to grass greens and for the first time, the club had a green keeper or golf manager (the late Mr Fox Bosman) who had been working very closely with the Executive Committee members. court welcomes people of every race to enjoy tennis.� The revamped centre boasts a new clubhouse with a bar and lounge leading to a terrace overlooking the courts, new ablution facilities and separate restrooms for umpires. The centre complements the library and skills development centre that were built in the wider precinct. South African Tennis Association chief executive Iain Smith said that national and international coaching clinics would be conducted at the centre, with the ultimate goal of producing Soweto’s own Arthur Ashe.
60
|
Best of Soweto
The Soweto Open is a professional tennis tournament that is currently part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Challenger Tour and the ITF Women’s tour as a 100K event. It has been held annually at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Centre since 2009. Organised by the City, it is becoming one of the more established tournaments in the country, attracting both local and international professional tennis players alike. Soweto Golf Course Tel: +27 11 980 2326 Soweto Country Club is situated in Pimville, Soweto, between Eldorado Park and
It is thanks to a development deal between the City and Tiyani, a consortium consisting of Investec, Standard Bank and Shanduka. Alan Dinnie, the project manager at the City of Joburg Property Company (JPC), managers of the City’s property portfolio, says the course will form part of a residential golf estate consisting of 238 units. “The HPMG DPVSTF XJMM CF BO IPMF (BSZ 1MBZFS TJHOBUVSF 1(" UPVSOBNFOU TUBOEBSE HPMG course that will be capable of hosting international golf tournaments. It will have B DMVC IPVTF CVJMU UP 1(" TUBOEBSET B driving range and a golf academy.� Aimed at improving the sport, the academy will CF PQFSBUFE CZ UIF 4PVUI "GSJDB (PMG
%FWFMPQNFOU #PBSE 4"(%# *U XJMM PGGFS subsidised coaching for people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Soweto Canoeing Club www.scarc.co.za Soweto Canoe and Recreation Club (SCARC) was established with a vision of using water sports as the medium to engage with and provide development opportunities for underprivileged children in Soweto. With their slogan “Empowerment and (SPXUI UISPVHI 4QPSUu UIFZ IBWF QSPWFO that the discipline and self confidence that a commitment to a sport needs, dramatically improves the positive outlook, personal motivation and drive to succeed. With over 300 local kids involved with the club since its inception, the club has seen amazing growth and results in each and every one of them. From competing and winning at races around the country and around the world, to embarking on professional career paths across a number of sectors, they are constantly reminded of the potential that each child holds within, despite their home situations. The main purpose of the organisation is to reach out, touch and impact disadvantaged children in Soweto through the vehicle of sport. Because the organisation was set up
by enthusiastic paddlers, this has become the main sport that they focus on; but through a tried and tested process, they are introduced to all water sports starting with the basics of swimming. From the interaction with other clubs during training and races; the mentoring from highly accredited coaches and mentors; as well as travelling to new locations and destinations to compete at races all combine to give each child a much broader and positive outlook on life as a whole. Virtually without fail, the kids that graduate from SCARC approach life with a greater determination, vision, passion and integrity than they potentially ever would if they had not come into contact with the program. The long term goal is to positively impact the children in a way that changes their lives, realising that sport was simply a means to an end and that assisting with their education is key, they have set up an education arm to the club where each child is assessed and with the assistance of private tutors are offered extra English lessons. Part of this process is also assisting with career guidance and high school subject selection for the senior kids. Considering that many of the kids come from homes below the poverty line, they have also implemented a feeding program to ensure that they can train, compete and learn from a level playing field. SCARC is funded and run
purely on the support and donations from 3rd party sponsors. Without their involvement, they would not be able to operate and would not be able to impact the lives they do. For example, through the valued support of YUM YUM from Foodcorp, they are able to provide 50 food packs to families from their club every month. These food packs contain a combination of essential and luxury food items; enough to supplement a family of 4 for a month.
Best of Soweto
|
61
Museums and Places of Interest Soweto is host to a diverse assortment of history and culture.
Oppenheimer Tower In 1956, industrialist Sir Ernest Oppenheimer visited the overcrowded Shantytown settlement in Orlando and Moroka Emergency Camps. In response to his witnessing the the housing crisis of Soweto, he was inspired to build 14 000 houses for Naledi, Mapetla, Tladi, Moletsane and Phiri. His generous donation of R6 000 000 to accommodate the Sotho and Tswana speakers was recognised by the State, who built the Oppenheimer Tower in Central Western Jabavu. Using bricks from demolished houses belonging to people who moved closer to the city from Moroka and newly-declared white areas, UIF 0QQFOIFJNFS (BSEFOT IBT CFDPNF B prominent attraction and historic landmark in Soweto. The tower and gardens are also home to iconic statues of Zulu warrior King Shaka, Basotho strategist King Moshoeshoe, as well as mining tycoon Ernest Oppenheimer. The tower now overlooks the gardens and cultural village, occupying several hectares PG UIF 0QQFOIFJNFS (BSEFOT QVCMJD QBSL BOE recreation facility. Located in downtown Soweto, the tower offers a panoramic bird’s eye view of the sprawling township.
62
|
Best of Soweto
Credo Mutwa Village In the heart of Soweto, in Central Western Jabavu, lies the intriguing Credo Mutwa Cultural Village. It is named after the painter, sculptor, environmentalist, herbalist, prophet and author who founded it. Born in KwaZuluNatal on 21 July 1921, Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa was an artist and author of African mythology and spiritual beliefs; and was recognised as a Sangoma. Dominated by the landmark Oppenheimer Tower, the Credo Mutwa Cultural Village is a fascinating outdoor museum that tracks the merging of ancient African culture with a Westernised urban world. Sculptures combining stone, reed, recycled metals and cement, offer a glimpse into age-old beliefs, myths and folklore. Parts of the cultural village were damaged during the 1976 Soweto Uprising. Seasoned artist Musa Ntanzi, one of Mutwa’s apprentices, has returned to lead the restoration work at the site which he helped to create as a young man. Kliptown Open-Air Museum Kliptown is the oldest residential district of Soweto, first formed in 1891 on Klipspuit (Rocky Stream). Community volunteers were
called upon in 1954 to travel throughout South Africa to encourage people to describe their vision of a democratic South Africa and in 1955; thousands of delegates gathered in Kliptown to approve what was called the “Freedom Charter”. These visionaries and activists included Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Helen Joseph and Father Trevor Huddleston. They called for the abolition of racial discrimination and the achievement of equal rights for everyone and welcomed the values of a united, democratic, non-racial, and non-sexist South Africa. Professor ZK Matthews conceived and proposed the charter at the ANC Cape provincial conference, it became a national campaign and the Council of the Congress of the People was created. The Kliptown Open Air Museum tells the story of the remarkable people who contributed to drafting the “Freedom Charter”. Visitors to the exhibit are actively engaged to learn with interactive multimedia; through photographs, news clippings, art, song, and narration. The exciting and educational display includes artifacts from those who witnessed the signing of the charter, as well as personal testimonies, and recordings of songs during the 1955 gathering in Kliptown.
Best of Soweto
|
63
The late Walter and Albertina Sisulu
his contribution to the liberation struggle in South Africa, Walter Sisulu was also voted by 4"#$ BT POF PG UIF (SFBUFTU 4PVUI "GSJDBOT Sisulu came from humble beginnings with a local missionary school education, working manual labour jobs in Johannesburg; and his extraordinary work in democracy for his country would be named a very special school‌ Walter Sisulu University. When his wife Albertina married the young Walter in 1944, Nelson Mandela was best man at their wedding. His wife gave birth to five children, and the proud parents also adopted four more into their family. The first township of its kind, (eMzansi) Kliptown in Soweto attracts both national and international attention with its variety
The struggle for freedom sets a path for the ‘Struggle-Route’, which Kliptown falls within‌ and visitors follow this journey in history from the museum, to the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication as a centerpiece of extraordinary education – now exciting entertainment for a prosperous community – alive with restaurants and stores, as well as art galleries and hotels for visitors to witness the township’s success from past to present. Walter Sisulu Square Located in the township of Tshisa Nyama
64
|
Best of Soweto
is a very special city center, with merchant stands, an Open Air Museum, Johannesburg Tourist Center and the famous Freedom Charter Monument. Known for its cultural diversity and more than just a marketplace, it embraces a unique cultural history mixed with past and present. Creating a fascinating presence to the outside world, it attracts visitors to share the experience‌ of the Walter Sisulu Square. Awarded the highest honour of the ANC (Isitwalandwe Seaparankoe) for
of opportunities for local businesses and international tourists. Combined with modernisation of the national culture and contemporary charm with its rich tradition, the Walter Sisulu Square embraces South African culture with its unique historical background. Hector Peterson Museum One of the first students killed during the 1976 Soweto Uprising was Hector Pieterson, he became a historic symbol of youth resistance to apartheid.
The peaceful protest was organised by young students in Soweto, in objection to the introduction of Afrikaans as the official academic language in schools. Steve Biko’s “Black Consciousness Movement”, motivated students for them to resist the 1950’s apartheid government’s Bantu Education system, designed to train South Africans to accept a submissive role in apartheid society. Planned by the South African Student Movement (SASM), hundreds of children joined the march to Orlando Stadium, where they intended to peacefully voice their grievances. They carried placards with slogans “Away with Afrikaans”, and “Amandla Awehtu” (Power to the People), as well as “Free Azania” (South Africa). They TBOH i/LPTJ 4JLFMFM J"GSJLBu (PE #MFTT Africa), which is now the South African National Anthem. In Orlando West, police
confronted those marching and ordered them to disperse.
being carried in the arms of Mbuyisa Makhubu caught the world’s attention and exposed the injustices of apartheid. Political awareness increased internationally and new leaders emerged, local civic organisations strengthened in size, young men and women joined rebel military forces and many activists were imprisoned in their fight for freedom. The Soweto Uprising changed the course of history and later led to the release of political prisoners, the emancipation of political organisations; and the creation of South African democracy. June 16th was declared ‘Youth Day’ after the 1st Democratic Election of 1994, commemorating South Africa’s youth and their struggle against apartheid. The Hector Pieterson Museum opened in 2002, with photographic and audiovisual displays of the black consciousness
movement, as well as Hector’s memorial… just a few hundred meters from where he was shot.
What was initially a peaceful protest quickly became a violent uprising that later spread to many other parts of the country. $POGSPOUBUJPO FSVQUFE JOUP DPOáJDU OVNFSPVT marchers were shot and killed, including 13year old Hector Pieterson.
Vilakazi Street The most famous street in Soweto, the only street in the world to have had two resident Nobel Prize Laureates… Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Dr. Nelson Mandela.
Photographer Sam Nzima’s emotional portrait of Hector Pieterson’s sister Antionette crying and running next to his dead body
The Mandela House has now become a famous museum, one of the biggest tourist BUUSBDUJPOT JO (BVUFOH 1SPWJODF BOE
preserved in exactly the same condition as when the Mandela Family lived in it in the 1960’s. Open to the public, local residents, international tourists, celebrities, government officials and heads of state; who are always eager to learn about the man who was once a political prisoner. Across the street and around the corner is the Tutu Home, whose family still live at the prominent residence. Although it is not open to the public, the Tutu house is a major attraction and an important part of Vilakazi Street area’s rich history. Orlando West High School is also on this street, known as the headquarters where the pupils gathered before the historic 1976 Soweto Uprising – and walking distance within one block, is the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum.
Over the years, Vilakazi Street’s popularity has created business opportunities, restaurants that cater for the needs of tourists and area residents alike, as well as artists offering their vast array of products and services. Regina Mundi Church Regina Mundi is the largest Catholic Church in Soweto and a popular attraction for both tourists and locals. Located in the middle of Soweto between Rockville and Moroka, this spiritual centre became a haven for Sowetans
Best of Soweto
|
65
during the violence of apartheid. Built in 1964, Regina Mundi is Latin for Queen of the World. Having witnessed numerous political rallies, the church is an important part of South African history and symbolically held Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings from 1995 to 1998 presided by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It still bears the physical scars of when police stormed its doors and fired live ammunition at ĂĄFFJOH TUVEFOUT EVSJOH UIF 4PXFUP VQSJTJOHT The renowned Black Madonna painting by Laurence Scully famously avoided the bullets. The painting was donated by Harry Oppenheimer in 1974; it was then illegal to depict the Madonna as black as it was considered blasphemous.
66
|
Best of Soweto
A beautiful stained glass window was donated to the church in 1998 by the Polish first lady, Jolanta Kwasniewska, in a gesture of remorse for the Polish citizen responsible for the murder of Chris Hani.
boasts a congregation of 11 000 people. These worshippers are served by six full-time pastors and 40 part-time pastors and elders.
In front of the Church is an impressive park with memorial stones, a “peace pole� donated by Japanese Christians, and a plaque documenting the Church’s history. The art gallery upstairs documents the history of the church and Soweto. Regina Mundi is now a multidenominational church.
The church’s growth is attributed to its identification with township culture. There is a broad range of activities encompassing the church, such as support groups and programmes for Aids, substance abuse, divorce, bereavement, computer skills, entrepreneurship, leadership, arts, prison services, women’s and men’s issues, and a youth and teenage ministry.
Grace Bible Church 5IF (SBDF #JCMF $IVSDI JT BO FWBOHFMJDBM church in Pimville. It began in a Soweto hall in 1983 with 35 congregants and now
The building was completed in 2002 by architects O’Neill & Associates and is a landmark in Pimville. There are plans to build further on the site with a multi-purpose
youth hall, basement, gym, children’s church, and classrooms. It has opened churches JO 0SBOHF 'BSN %PCTPOWJMMF 1SPUFB (MFO Jabavu and Brackenhurst.
For more information of what to see in Soweto, go to www.sa-venues.com
Best of Soweto
|
67
Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu Two of South Africa’s most loved and prolific men, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both lived in Soweto on Vilakazi Street at a time when they were creating history in their struggle for freedom. They were both honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of their contribution, making Vilakazi Street the only street in the world to be the home of two Nobel peace Prize Laureates. Their houses serve as a reminder of their sacrifices.
68
|
Best of Soweto
Nelson Mandela Affectionately known as ‘Madiba’, Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, in the district of Umtata. His family homestead remains at rural Qunu today. Born as Rolihlahla Mandela into the Thembu dynasty, he was given the name Nelson by a teacher at age seven. Nelson Mandela was determined to become a lawyer but became involved in the resistance movement against apartheid while studying at University College of Fort Hare. He was suspended from his studies, only to complete them years later during his decades behind bars. Nelson Mandela joined the African National Congress as a student in 1942 as he shared the organisation’s core beliefs in working towards ending apartheid. For his role in the struggle, he spent 27 years in jail. During this time he became an icon of the struggle and a voice of hope. He was released in 1990 by President F.W. de Klerk, who had just replaced apartheid advocate P.W. Botha, and Mandela stepped straight into the leadership role of the ANC. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to him and de Klerk jointly in 1993. He was elected the first black president of South Africa in the first democratic elections in 1994. In a gesture of forgiveness, he made de Klerk his deputy in the first government of National Unity. Mandela has been married three times, first to Evelyn Ntoko Mase, with whom he had two sons and two daughters and then divorced 13 years later, second to Winnie MadikizelaMandela, with whom he had two daughters and then divorced in 1996, and third to DVSSFOU XJGF (SBDB .BDIFM O After dedicating his entire life to the fight for
freedom, Mandela retired from political life in 1999 after serving a single term as the first president of the democratic South Africa. He continues to be honoured with awards from around the globe for his leadership and lifetime achievements. On his 90th birthday, he famously appealed to the wealthy to assist the poor. He has inspired millions with his humility, compassion, and kindness. Mandela will forever remain a symbol of freedom. Mandela House 8115 Vilikazi Street was home to Nelson Mandela and his first wife, Evelyn since 1946. After they divorced in 1957, his second wife Winnie lived there with her daughters from 1958 until 1996. During this time, Mandela’s controversial work forced him underground and to live his life on the run, until his arrest and imprisonment in 1962. After his release from Robben Island in 1990, IF SFUVSOFE CSJFåZ GPS EBZT BOE UIFO moved to his present house in Houghton. In 1997 he donated his home to the Soweto Heritage Trust and in 1999, the National Monuments Council declared the landmark property a national monument and public heritage site, with Mandela himself as the Founder Trustee. This piece of history and exciting story provides an effective and educational experience to promote democracy, protect human rights, reconciliation, mutual respect, and tolerance today as well as in many years to come. The Mandela House is now a legendary tourist attraction, educational learning centre for historical preservation, heritage research centre, preserving Mandela’s amazing history, and protecting South Africa’s future as a shining light in the world.
Best of Soweto
|
69
Archbishop Desmond Tutu Archbishop Desmond Tutu was born in 1931 in Klerksdorp, Transvaal. His father was a teacher, and sent Tutu to school at Johannesburg Bantu High School. After school, Tutu trained as a teacher at Pretoria Bantu Normal College. He then graduated from the University of South Africa in 1954. After working as a high school teacher for three years, Tutu began to study theology and he was ordained as a priest in 1960. He devoted 1962 to 1966 to furthering his theological knowledge in England, where he obtained a Master of Theology. He then taught theology in South Africa from 1967 to 1972 and then returned to England to be the assistant director of a theological institute in London. He was appointed as the first black man to be Dean at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Johannesburg in 1975. He became Bishop of Lesotho JO BOE UIFO UIF à STU CMBDL (FOFSBM Secretary of the South African Council of Churches in 1978. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has become an
70
|
Best of Soweto
honorary doctor from numerous leading VOJWFSTJUJFT JO UIF 64" #SJUBJO BOE (FSNBOZ Tutu’s objective was formed during his years in the church during the height of apartheid. He believed in a democratic and free society with no racial divides. His voice resonated with freedom fighters across South Africa and he became an icon of peace. His role in resistance against the apartheid regime was honoured in 1984 when he was awarded the Nobel peace Prize. His most valuable contribution was in his role as the Archbishop of the newly democratic South Africa. He started the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a way of helping heal South Africa’s wounds in the hope that forgiveness would enable the country to move forward. He maintains his stance on equal civil rights for all and has continued to speak out against unjust systems worldwide. His tough stance has brought him equal amounts of respect and resistance, but he is an iconic reminder of the pursuit of justice for all. Tutu Residence Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu still lives
in Soweto, on Vilakazi Street with his wife Leah. A simple architectural design, the high walls are painted light grey that complement a very special house that is both classic and contemporary. A modest and humble man, the residence is that of a legend but also that of a man who has dedicated himself to public service and his fellow countrymen. When he returns home from regular travel nationally and internationally, fellow residents often see him walking around his neighbourhood to greet his neighbours and he participates in community events. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his great efforts to help end apartheid, Tutu later lost the prestigious gold medallion worth more than R1-million during a robbery, but it was miraculously recovered and returned. Other prized possessions taken in the robbery were 1998 Newsmaker of the Year Award, given to him by the Johannesburg Press Club, and a bottle of 1994 Middelvlei Pinotage. A forgiving man and loving leader to his people, Tutu has served the world as an Ambassador of Peace and positively JOรกVFODFE UIF XPSME BT IF XBMLT UIF QBUI PG peace and reconciliation.
Best of Soweto
|
71
CHAPTER 2 Taste of Soweto
72
|
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
|
73
Wandie’s Place A cosy restaurant in the middle of this huge “township”, it is popular with both locals and tourists alike. In the suburb of Dube, some 15km from the Jo’burg city centre, it has become a mandatory stop on the route for virtually all Soweto tour operators. The restaurant has played host to such luminaries as Richard Branson, the CEO of Virgin Airlines, Evander Holyfield, Jesse Jackson, Quincy Jones and the All Blacks. For those who seek a touch of the exotic, the establishment serves indigenous cuisine in the form of dumplings, mogodu, ting (soft porridge), pap and umqushu (samp). Meals are in the form of a buffet. The dishes include mutton, lamb, beef or chicken – roasted or cooked. Vegetarians are spoilt for choice, if salads are what they want; there are six on the menu, including coleslaw, French salad, beetroot, potato salad, tuna fish salad and chakalaka – a local hot salad made of tomatoes, baked beans, onion, chillies and green chillies. Open times: 10am till late Tour bookings: +27 11 982 2796 motlalepule@wandiesplace.co.za Restaurant reservations: +27 11 982 2796 reservations@wandiesplace.co.za Picture courtesy of Sea Turtle
74
|
Best of Soweto
www.wandies.co.za
Chez Alina Restaurant Chez Alina is a home-turned-restaurant where the original family of four generations still reside.
This setting provides guests with first-hand experience of an ordinary four roomed Sowetan home and provides the raw vibe and atmosphere of Soweto through interaction with locals. This conscious decision to cater to township tourists was made when owner Alina saw a gap in the industry. Now running for five years, Chez Alina is the only facility in Soweto where tourists get a taste of family life in the township. Local and international guests come to enjoy an unforgettable experience of Soweto at an authentic venue. The venue is not the only delight. The delicious African Cuisine consists of over ten freshly prepared dishes, including lamb and beef stews, roasted chicken and fish, four vegetables, samp, rice, dumplings and pap. Six salads, as well as our mouthwatering deserts of seasonal fruit, ice-cream, vanilla and chocolate cake are also on offer – and guests just can’t get enough.
chez alina restaurant ENJOY OUR TRADITIONAL DISHES
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a warm hand cloth dipped in lemon water to clean their hands, as is custom before meals in African culture. After enjoying their three course buffet meal, guests are entertained by young local dancers with the popular pantsula dance, with guests often joining in. Chez Alina gives guests a uniquely Sowetan experience – making them feel like part of the family and community. Address: 3373 Masemola Street Dobsonville 1863 Contact details: +27 11 988 5297 +27 82 958 1402 chez.alina@yahoo.com www.chezalinarestaurant.co.za
Best of Soweto
|
75
Sakhumzi Restaurant – Home of Soweto Heritage There is a place in Soweto where lies the spirit of our ancestors. It is said that people who have visited, come back again, again, and again.
Tel: +27 11 536 1379 Fax: +27 86 692 7065 Email: dine@sakhumzi.co.za
Welcome to our journey into the future as we realise our dream to be “the premier brand in township heritage tourism�.
We provide excellent service of the highest quality and standard, upon which we are continuously improving.
Sakhumzi Restaurant is situated on the trendy and historic Vilakazi Street in Orlando West Soweto. This popular street is the only place in the world that has had two Nobel Peace Prize Winners living on the same street – namely Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is also the site of the emotionally captivating Hector Peterson Memorial, where the 13 year-old became the first victim of the Soweto Student Uprisings in 1976 after being shot by apartheid police.
Our Vision To maintain positioning Sakhumzi Restaurant as the premier brand for township heritage tourism
6980 Vilakazi St. Orlando West Soweto, 1804 South Africa
Mission To develop tourism products and ambience that enhances a premier brand in tourism and hospitality
GPS coordinates: S 26 14’ 20,6� E 27 54’ 35,0�
Vilikazi Street is the epicentre of Soweto tourism and can see up to 5000 tourists daily. As a result, the restaurant caters primarily for the foreign tourist market, as well as ‘bluechip’ corporate group bookings, for team building. The target market inspires the nature of the heritage tourism atmosphere and the African township cuisine of the restaurant. The regular patrons however, are made up of middle class Soweto on weekends, while the weeks are dedicated to hosting corporate clients and tour companies. Sakhumzi Restaurant’s doors were opened in November 2001 by Soweto-born owner Mr. Sakhumzi Maqubela. Mr. Maqubela left a lucrative career in a major bank after 13 years and used his savings to capitalise the restaurant, which grew from humble beginnings of five staff to 42 full-time staff working two shifts. Initially the restaurant could serve 80 guests at a time, but can now serve 450 people in total.
76
|
Best of Soweto
We offer r .FNCFSTIJQ BOE UPVSJOH PQQPSUVOJUJFT r #BS $JHBS #BS BOE $PDLUBJM #BS r $VSSFODZ FYDIBOHF r .FSDIBOEJTF r 8J Ă XJSFMFTT JOUFSOFU r :FBS FOE GVODUJPOT r $IFG T DIPJDF PG UIF EBZ #SFBLGBTUT #VGGFU A-la-carte menu, Kiddies menu, Halaal; r -JWF NVTJD BOE FOUFSUBJONFOU r &WFOUT r 5SBWFM BHFODZ TFSWJDF
www.sakhumzi.co.za
Best of Soweto
|
77
CHAPTER 3 Heritage, Arts & Professional Services
78
|
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
|
79
The Legendary Heroines of Soweto ‘Some of the best men I have known were women’ those were the words of former President Nelson Mandela in acknowledgement of the leadership role of women in the liberation struggle.
Indeed some of these heroines who endured immense sacrifice were from Soweto. They filled the void of political leadership following the Sharpeville Massacre and the Rivonia Trial, fearlessly assuming leadership as Symbols of Resistance. As the National Women’s month approaches, memories of a beautiful ceremony held in this bustling metropolis on the 20th August 2010 linger on. This memorable occasion was in commemoration of the lives of three struggle icons - Charlotte Maxeke, Lillian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph - by declaration of their graves as National Heritage Sites. 4P JNQSFTTJWF XFSF UIFJS MJWFT PG TFMáFTTOFTT and embodiment of the spirit of ubuntu that various leaders of the day have echoed sentiments of wishing to have sat at the feet of these great giants, such as Charlotte Maxeke, and got to know them. Ellen Kuzwayo, a struggle giant in her own right, recounts in her biography ‘Call Me a Woman’ how Charlotte Maxeke left an indelible mark through her speech during the All Africa Convention in 1935. She herself ended up in Soweto where she served in a Committee of Ten, following the 1976 youth uprising for which she was subjected to imprisonment without trial at quite a mature age. She
80
|
Best of Soweto
emerged from that experience undeterred, if not more energetic, and earned herself a Post-graduate Diploma in Social Work from Wits University. Lillian Ngoyi was indeed a symbol of defiance who, from her early involvement in the struggle in the 1950s, defied her bail conditions as a 1956 Treason Trialist by addressing meetings nationally. Her spirit and hope of a free and just society became her only solace during her lengthy house arrest. Paying tribute to her during her funeral in March 1980, her friend Helen Joseph recalled how MaNgoyi once said how she wished that ‘one day, when all is over, they would have a picnic under a tree’ just the two of them.
In a moving symbolic gesture, the Public Relations Team of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) converted Soweto Freedom Square into a colourful picnic with throes of women gathered with picnic baskets in honour of MaNgoyi and Joseph. Among these women was 97-yearold Mrs. Leeisa wearing her original design of the ANC blouse sewn by MaNgoyi herself and the only contemporary of MaNgoyi to witness a celebration of her 100th birthday on the 25th September 2011. Appropriately so, the Kliptown Square bears footprints of these liberation struggle giants where Helen Joseph had taken the podium during the Congress of the People on the 26th June 1955 where the Freedom Charter was adopted. She later paid an ultimate price of imprisonment without trial and house arrest lasting almost until her death in 1992, where she continued her fight against injustices from IFS IPVTF JO 0SBOHF (SPWF "T QSPPG UIBU indeed her ‘Spirit was Not Banned’, today she lies together in the same grave with her friend in Avalon Cemetery in an eternal picnic celebrating triumph against racism, giving us the opportunity to bask and feast from the fruits of the tree of their sacrifices.
As the heritage fraternity through SAHRA continues to honour these heroines, Soweto will continue re-enacting the festivities of the 20th August 2010 as more of these heroines TVDI BT (SFUB /DBQIBZJ &MMFO ,V[XBZP BOE Albertina Sisulu, to name a few, are honoured. Songstresses and cultural ambassadors such as Dolly Rathebe, Miriam Makeba, Thoko Thomo and Mabel Mafuya, were all at a certain point of their lives, residents of Soweto. The cultural and liberation heritage of Soweto DPOUJOVFT UP JOĂĄVFODF BOE XF XJMM GPSFWFS be touched by the lives of its living legends - as much as the departed - such as Ma Winnie Mandela, Bridgette Mabandla, Thandi Klaseens, Mary Twala, Dorothy Masuku, Letta Mbulu, Mara Louw, and Sibongile Khumalo.
Public Relations South African Heritage Resources Agency Phone: +27 21 462 4502 www.sahra.org.za Developed by Public Relations and the Burial Grounds and Graves Unit
Best of Soweto
|
81
The Soweto Theatre
they could develop a theatre relevant to the needs of people living in Soweto was crucial. Extensive research was conducted through a tour of theatres in Johannesburg, Cape Town, the United Kingdom and Canada. These tours gave significant insight into the concept of culture-led regeneration.
The mandate The idea of the Soweto Theatre was conceptualised as part of the legacy project spurred by South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The initial conversation took place in 2007 under the leadership of the previous Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Amos Masondo. Out of this discussion the Mayoral Committee was persuaded to
82
|
Best of Soweto
support the Executive Mayor’s proposal that a theatre should be built in Soweto; and so it took its place in the list of legacy projects. Thus began a six year journey with the Johannesburg Property Company and the Department of Community Development. Investigation into whether a purely commercial theatre was feasible and whether
The impression in 2007 was that theatre, and musical theatre in particular was a vibrant and popular activity. From the tours, it became clear that the proposed theatre for Soweto would have to include an operational subsidy if it were to fulfil its developmental objectives. The idea was based on the fact that although the Johannesburg area has thousands of theatre seats, there is not one theatre in any of the townships. Spatial Development Plans for Soweto were then looked at in order to begin to explore
where the best location would be. Soweto is rich in heritage sites and there is a very strong spatial corridor that links these key sites. It was evident early on that a new theatre would ideally be located somewhere along this existing corridor. The Jabulani precinct was thus carefully selected. The architecture A characteristic of contemporary theatres is the combination of traditional end stages (proscenium arch stage) and what are called box theatres. The ‘black box theatre’, B ĂĄFYJCMF NVMUJ GVODUJPOBM TQBDF XJUI good acoustics, plays a significant role in contemporary theatre. Inspired by this idea of a ‘black box theatre’, the architects designed a theatre made up of three boxes – bravely moving away from the clichĂŠ that African public architecture should be premised on circular forms. Afritect succeeded in combining the multifunctionality and acoustic properties of the box wrapped within a dynamic yet contained building of both circular and angular elements. Public consultation There was public consultation in four distinctive consultation phases in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2012. These included engagement with performing arts practitioners, designers for draft plans, a public call for expression of interest, as well as theatre policy consultation. The sod turning ceremony The sod turning ceremony in February 2009 was attended by Cllr Masondo and the Minister of Arts and Culture Dr Pallo Jordan. The actual construction of the theatre commenced in June 2009 with the clearing and the securing of the site. Pile foundations were laid in April 2010. Objectives, goals and strategic beneďŹ ts $VMUVSBM JOGSBTUSVDUVSF CVJMU CZ (PWFSONFOU acts as a catalyst for attracting private sector investment in the surrounding precinct. The
Theatre is a significant developmental and catalytic opportunity – and not just a large capital cost. As a receiving house, the theatre will play host to its own productions, as well as staging productions from the surrounding community. The theatre’s main objective is to produce performing arts in a wide variety of genres that will stimulate discussion on a variety of challenging issues, thereby actively
contributing to the vision of transforming the City of Johannesburg into a “world class African city�. By providing opportunities for new local talent to make their debuts at the theatre, the Soweto Theatre will actively contribute to the development of the youth and the promotion of the arts in general. Acting CEO Steven Sack Soweto Theatre +27 11 674 1357 /8
Best of Soweto
|
83
Amambo Art & Design Amambo Art & Design is a 100% black/woman-owned Close Corporation Company established in February 2009 and registered in 2011 by Miss Thembelihle Mkhize. Thembelihle discovered the passion of art at an early age and pursued a career in art and design. Amambo Art & Design aims to identify opportunities within the arts industry to create job opportunities. It is also open to learn from well established companies by partnering in bigger projects. The company has strategically partnered with the DTI as a member of their initiative SAWEN (South African Women Entrepreneurs Network). Amambo prides itself in providing clients with a service personalised for their needs. The company produces beautifully designed hand-painted ceramics, mosaics, paintings, drawings, company logos, letterheads, business cards, t-shirts, mugs, handmade invitation cards and other related art products. Vision To add value by providing quality and unique products; to be recognised as one of the well established Art and Design Woman Companies in the country. Mission r 5P DPNNJU PVSTFMWFT UP WBMVF BEEJOH BOE sustainable empowerment transactions; r 5P EFWFMPQ B CVTJOFTT UIBU JT Ă OBODJBMMZ stable and successful; r 5P NBOBHF PQFSBUJPOT BOE FOTVSF UIBU skills transfer is enhanced; r 5P QSPNPUF BOE TVQQPSU #MBDL &DPOPNJD Empowerment initiatives; r 0GGFS FYDFMMFOU SFUVSOT UP JUT TIBSFIPMEFST and become a profitability powerhouse; r 5P CF B WBMVFE NFNCFS PG FWFSZ DPNNVOJUZ in which we operate and contribute significantly to society and the environment; r 5P VQIPME WBMVFT PG EFEJDBUJPO commitment, hard work, reliability, and quality. Management and ownership Miss Thembelihle Mkhize is the Managing
84
|
Best of Soweto
Member of Amambo Art & Design. She completed an N6: Art and Design at Roodepoort College in 2004. She has gained experience by working with high profiled DPNQBOJFT TVDI BT (BCSZO JO 4BOEUPO
1874 Kgaladi Street Protea North SOWETO 1818 Tel: +27 11 980 1995 Cell: +27 73 197 4456 Fax: +27 86 699 4349 Email: lihlemkhize@telkomsa.net CK no: 2010/072295/23
The Soweto Sewing Company
Background In June 2008, the Soweto Sewing Company was formed in Braamfischerville, Soweto. Unemployment is very high in the area and many homes are without a breadwinner – the five entrepreneurial women who pioneered the concept are the sole income earners for their families. Objective The women started by crafting bags from beautiful African print fabrics and then established a creative, income-generating project to provide its employees with a livelihood and to benefit the broader community. Sponsors from the United States provided most of the initial capital, including two sewing machines and one over-locker. It soon became clear that the group’s level of workmanship was high, thanks to a couple of the staff having had previous experience in the sewing industry. Since its formation, the group has developed its skills and expanded its range of products. They are constantly on the look-out for fresh ideas and new markets for their goods. They have proved to be competent at translating new ideas into innovative designs. Products & markets The Soweto Sewing Company’s product range includes bags for both retail and
industrial application, bibs, aprons and other commodities used at the 2010 World Cup Soccer event. The group also produces household items such as placemats, tablecloths and coaster sets. Its products make ideal corporate gifts – not only are they attractive and functional items, but they will make a difference in the lives of members of a disadvantaged community. New products, including baby bags and blankets, launched at the Baba Indaba. Support A South African company has undertaken to provide support for the organisation in a number of ways and to assist it in the marketing of its products. The company built and sponsored exhibition stands for the Soweto Sewing Company at Markex Johannesburg and Africa’s Big Seven show. Its sponsorship also extends to day-to-day administrative support for the organisation. They have also been given space at the Soweto Festival Expo. Future Although the community staff still battle to make ends meet, they have come a long way and are working towards a brighter future for themselves, their families and their communities.
Address: 39 Quin Street, Newtown, Johannesburg Contact Judith: +27 76 581 6398 Email: sales@sowetosew.co.za
“Our aim is to grow the Soweto Sewing Company into a selfreliant and profitable company, and these exhibitions are the stepping stones to help us achieve this dream. We would like to thank our sponsors whole-heartedly, and will strive to impress them with what we can do”. Judith Thobakgale, Soweto Sewing Company Manager
Best of Soweto
|
85
Welcome to Mokgalaka Creations Mokgalaka Creations believe that every cake is a unique creation process and the finished product is a work of art which completes an occasion, such as a wedding, anniversary, birthday or social gathering.
Registered in 2006 and in its sixth (6th) year of operations, one of Mokgalaka Creations highlights was being awarded the honour of making former President Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday cake. Clients often hesitate to eat their birthday cakes; saying they are too beautiful to cut. But this is soon forgotten with the joy of eating a beautiful and delicious cake. The greatest reward for our passion and hard work are our satisfied customers. Honesty, humanity, hard work and integrity is second nature. Our specialities are: r %FTJHOJOH BOE CBLJOH B WBSJFUZ PG DBLFT (wedding, birthday & occasion cupcakes); r %FTJHOFS XFEEJOH DBLFT GSVJU DBSSPU mousse, passion fruit, Irish coffee, citrus, vanilla and chocolate etc); r $PPLJFT TDPOFT NVGà OT CJTDVJUT UBSUT etc);
86
|
Best of Soweto
r 'VODUJPO DBUFSJOH r 1BSUZ QMBUUFST Our Pledge: We do our best to ensure your occasion is memorable. We do not compromise on our TUBOEBSE PG FYDFMMFODF (SFBU WBMVF GPS NPOFZ is guaranteed. We aim to consistently provide high quality products and services. As a professional social worker, owner Lucia Molefe brings an extra touch of passion to the marriage experience. The careful selection of a wedding cake is an opportunity for the bride and groom to discuss the ingredients needed for their marriage beyond the ceremony. Lucia’s passion translates into her cakes as she uses her skills and knowledge from social work to get couples to engage in feeling comfortable with one another in this initial phase of their marriage journey. As with
any dream cake, a dream marriage is made up of ingredients including communication, support, compromise – and a healthy dose of sugar. Only at Mokgalaka Creations does one find such a level of personal touch and care – it all starts with a cake. Physical Address 7 Swartberg Drive Oakdene 2190 Postal Address P.O. Box 523 Meadowlands 1851 Cell (Sales): +27 82 650 0073 Cell (General Enquiries): +27 83 444 9946 Email: info@mokgalaka.co.za www.mokgalaka.co.za
Sheila’s Florist & Décor Sheila’s Florist & Décor caters for weddings, birthdays, funerals and tombstone arrangements.
4IFJMB T ESFBN PG QVSTVJOH B DBSFFS BT B áPSJTU XBT JHOJUFE BU UIF BHF of 28 by the encouragement of her late boss Arthur of the Homes & 0SQIBO T GVOE XIP VSHFE IFS JO UP USBJO BT B áPSJTU "GUFS UIF DMPTVSF PG UIF GVOE JO 4IFJMB XPSLFE GPS WBSJPVT áPSJTUT VOUJM deciding to work from home. She has not looked back since – having registered her company in 2007 after much hard work, perseverance and a trained helping hand from her partner and husband. Now at the age of 64, Sheila’s Florist & Décor is thriving in the memory of Arthur’s inspiration, who is gone but not forgotten. Sheila hopes to also leave a legacy by training others and encouraging job creation. She believes the way to achieve these goals would be through equipment sponsorships as a form of supporting SMEs – helping them to help themselves. 11379 Tambo Street Orlando West, Ext 1804 Tel: +27 72 813 9449
Best of Soweto
|
87
Mr S’thombe-Man Mr S’thombe–Man is a professional wedding and functions photographer from Soweto. )FSF XF PGGFS DMJFOUT HPPE RVBMJUZ QIPUPT m SJHIU UISPVHI iFLBTJu (PPE RVBMJUZ SFTVMUT BOE high standard services at all times.
Jan Right, a photographer by accident, started his now blossoming photo career at the tender age of 13 years. It all started after a soccer match his team won, when a friend handed him an instamatic camera to take a photo of the victorious team. Jan admits that handling a camera for that first time had an everlasting effect on him. On returning to show off his black and white pictures to his team-mates seven days later, he did not expect his team-mates to be so ecstatic with the results. Jan had made the effort to go to the nearby Machaeneng pharmacist, using the photo lab opposite Regina Mundi Church in Soweto to develop the pictures – which has since been replaced by Fox Lake. From there, the rest is history. However for Jan, his deep seated love for image taking and editing was ignited when he bought his first film after acquiring his own camera. He admits that it has been an uphill battle with many breaks in-between the years as a result of challenges which at times seemed too discouraging to tackle – but he pushed on and persisted.
88
|
Best of Soweto
Apart from taking pictures at functions, Jan also took his photographic skills to a higher level, doing freelance work for a number of reputable newspapers and magazines around (BVUFOH It is safe to say that today; his services are one of the best quality value-for-money around Soweto. A large number of satisfied customers can attest to this. Mr S’thombe–Man: r QSPWJEFT RVBMJUZ QIPUPHSBQIJD TFSWJDFT r MJOLT DVTUPNFST XJUI XFMM UP EP photographers when we are unable to service you; r NBLF FOMBSHFNFOUT BOE EP QJDUVSF GSBNJOH r DPNQJMF QSPGFTTJPOBM QIPUP CPPLT QIPUP story books; r à U CBCZ T SPPN XJUI MJGF TJ[F QIPUPHSBQIT r EP NBHOFUJD DBS EPPS TUJDLFST GPS XFEEJOH entourage. CONTACT photographer Jan Right +27 72 293 9350 jrihgt@gmail.com www.mrsthombeman.webs.com
The Camera Cave Photo Studios Photographers for all occasions.
We specialise in still photos, video filming and also offer quality printing and design. We capture the special moments of birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, conferences, ceremonies and school group photos. We also have professional experience in capturing tombstone unveiling and funeral processions. Products: photo books; photo albums; framing and films. We design and print the following: Calendars, certificates, invitations, birthday, valentine, greeting, anniversary, sympathy, wedding and get well cards; star signs and thank-you notes. We offer CD and DVD services such as the transfer of VHS cassette to DVD disc, loading photos to DVD, CD labelling, and supply CD and DVD cover sleeves. Camera Cave is proudly Sowetan
1871 Mahobe Street Rockville PO Moroka 1860 Soweto Johannesburg Contact: Mr Phuthwa Glory Ndlazi Cell: +27 83 356 5327 Fax: +27 86 684 7641 proudlysowetan@cameracave.co.za cameracave@mweb.co.za www.cameracave.co.za
Best of Soweto
|
89
CHAPTER 4 Festivals, Conferencing & Exhibitions
90
|
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
|
91
Adele Lucas Promotions Public Relations & Event Management.
Adele Lucas
Corporate Profile Adele Lucas Promotions (ALP) is one of the longest established PR and event management companies in South Africa. Founder Adele Lucas was the doyenne of the industry, having started out as a sports promoter and then joining Sol Kerzner on the Southern Sun management board. After opening and promoting 22 hotels worldwide, Adele founded Adele Lucas Promotions in 1979 and remained Managing Director until her sudden and untimely death in June 2010. Toby Chance, who joined the company in April 2005, was then appointed Managing Director. Adele’s legacy of experience and extensive contacts within every communication sector in South Africa and abroad are now leveraged in ensuring media coverage for our clients through a highly respected and professional team. The ALP core management brings with it expertise in PR, event management, publishing, advertising, hi-tech, arts and culture, media, e-commerce, marketing, training, communications and promotions. No project is beyond its scope to conceive, produce and deliver. Under its management, dedicated project teams are assembled and assigned to a project for its full life-cycle. Members of the teams are selected according to relevant experience and applicable expertise. ALP has a long history of creating and staging groundbreaking events, most of which have a strong arts and culture theme. ALP is constantly scanning the cultural scene to find the hottest talent, trends and themes, which are then brought to bear on the projects we manage. Empowerment and BBBEE ALP recently changed its shareholding structure to broaden the shareholder base
92
|
Best of Soweto
to include black employees and senior staff members. The company is now 25.1% owned by black employees, who also have senior management roles in the company. ALP has been certified as a Level 1 company in terms of the DTI scorecard. It also scores very high on women employees, enterprise development and procurement from blackowned companies. Vision Linking the formal and informal economies together The changing social and economic landscape in South Africa presents ALP with an opportunity to refocus its years of experience towards the needs of the people living in the many townships adjoining our major cities. To be the leader in staging hallmark events in previously disadvantaged areas of South Africa, that create linkages between the formal and informal economies and thereby develop opportunities for small business, youth, arts and culture, community and tourism development in these regions. In addition, ALP will continue to create and
manage events and expos that are targeted to specific audiences around the country for, and on behalf of clients. Services offered Adele Lucas Promotions’ primary function is to provide clients with an end-to-end execution of their communications needs – be it of a marketing, media promotion or event management nature. Our project management and account management expertise form the bedrock of our service offering. In order to effectively service the dynamic environment of the South African business sector, we have adopted a well tested outsource model in the contracting of suitable specialist skills as required on a project-byproject basis. This model provides our clients with a wealth of experience in the following communications disciplines: r $SFBUJWF DPODFQU EFWFMPQNFOU r &WFOU NBOBHFNFOU r $PSQPSBUF BOE DPOTVNFS SFMBUJPOT r 4BMFT TQPOTPSTIJQT r $PSQPSBUF TPDJBM JOWFTUNFOU
r .FEJB SFMBUJPOT r *OUFSOBM FYUFSOBM DPSQPSBUF DPNNVOJDBUJPO r 4USBUFHJD QMBOOJOH r (PWFSONFOU MPCCZJOH Media Management \ Media Marketing A major strength of Adele Lucas Promotions is our knowledge and association with the media at all levels, including senior management, from editors through to journalists. On a media level we work nationally and internationally with strong personal contacts in SADC countries. Our relationships with the media have been strengthened by working on joint sponsorships with various magazines, newspapers and radio and television stations. For instance the media sponsors of The Star Home Shows (18), The Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 World Festival of Food and Drink, The Citizen Motor Show, SABC Macufe Festival and the Soweto Festival, Media24 and SABC. ALP’s credibility with the media has been strengthened over the years by the aspirational and community driven projects that we have managed and conceptualised.
The Soweto Homemakers Festival for instance, made history as the first major business and cultural event to take place in a black township. The company has worked GPS /(0T TVDI BT UIF (FU "IFBE 'PVOEBUJPO The Educational Opportunities Council and many other worthwhile community driven projects that have earned them the respect and support of the media. Event Management Over the years Adele Lucas Promotions has created and managed key projects and events. We pride ourselves on the fact that many of these have been groundbreaking
events that have contributed to the history and development of this country. ALP has always been successful in attracting recordbreaking crowds to our events. This is attributed to the fact that, first and foremost, we are a marketing organisation. Creating new and original concepts that are current and exciting which are then strongly marketed to the targeted audiences requires major talent and skill. Our success is also due to our ability to offer a broad spectrum of services, talent and skills and these are applied to each and every project as outlined above.
Best of Soweto
|
93
Vo l u m e1
Below is a selection of the events and projects that ALP have created and/or managed:
manage an event to commemorate the reopening of the Johannesburg City Library on February 14th 2012. The library had undergone a three year renovation with funds from the City and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Best of Soweto XXX (71FEJB DPN
This prestigious event was presided over by the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Parks Tau, and was attended by dignitaries from the City and elsewhere. ALP conceived and produced two programmes of events, around the theme “For the Love of Words�, chosen because the event took place on Valentine’s Day. The first was the VIP indoor function for invited guests where the highly acclaimed Jessica Mbangeni, Pitika Nthuli and Lebo Mashile gave stirring performances of praise singing, poetry readings and historical narratives. The second showcased local dance, drama and puppeteering troupes and was staged outdoors for the general public and 250 school children who were transported from nearby schools to attend the event.
"EFMF -VDBT 1SPNPUJPOT BOE (MPCBM 7JMMBHF Partnerships have entered into a joint venture agreement to publish Best of Soweto, the latest in the series of books which showcase the best of the best in over 40 territories across the globe. Featuring in the book will be the best businesses, cultural activities, tourism hotspots, museums, community projects, government interventions and much more. For the lucky ones to be included, Best of Soweto will be a brilliant marketing tool. Best of Soweto, a glossy, full colour, hard cover coffee table-style book, is to coincide with the Soweto Festival Expo at the end of September 2012. Copies will be distributed to corporate and government sectors as well as to top hotels and other tourism destinations catering for the international traveller. Advertisers will be able to buy custom-branded copies of the book to use as corporate gifts and promotional material. City of Johannesburg Library re-opening event ALP won a five-way pitch to create and
94
|
Best of Soweto
National Water Week Expo The Department of Water Affairs appointed Adele Lucas Promotions to organise the Water Week Expo, which it hosted at the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha from 21st to 25th March 2011. March 21-27 was National Water Week and March 22 was World Water Day – held annually as a means of focusing attention on the importance of fresh water and the
sustainable management of water resources. The UN came to Cape Town for the first time to celebrate World Water Day in 2011. A number of educational and entertainment events and activations, such as a major conference at the CTICC, exhibitions, walks, music, festivals & demonstrations, were staged in the lead up to and during National Water Week throughout the country, one of which was the Water Week Expo in Khayelitsha. AdReview Awards ceremony www.squeezeback.com The annual AdReview Awards, the most anticipated event in the advertising business calendar, was organised for the first time by ALP. Founded by well known advertising and marketing journalist Tony Koenderman, and now in the Media24 stable alongside FinWeek magazine, the AdReview Awards was staged on April 19th 2011 to acknowledge excellence in the advertising, marketing and PR industries. “The Awards are the annual gathering place for 600 ‘top-dogs’ from agencies around the country, each vying for recognition in an ever more competitive marketing environment” says Koenderman. “We chose ALP to organise and produce the event because of its many years experience in event management and because of its BCJMJUZ UP BEE B CJU PG áBJS UP UIJT ZFBS T ceremony.”
Alex 100™ www.alex100.co.za 2012 marks two important birthdays in our country – the 100th birthday of the ANC, and the 100th birthday of the founding of Alexandra Township. While the ANC is sure to hog the headlines in January 2012, the famous township in north-eastern Johannesburg has big plans for the entire year, branded under the title “Alex 100TM”. “Alexandra Township is one of the oldest formal black settlements in South Africa and has a rich and proud heritage that has been hidden for too long” explains Mpho Motsumi, 1SFTJEFOU PG UIF (SFBUFS "MFYBOESB $IBNCFS PG $PNNFSDF BOE *OEVTUSZ ("-9$0 XIJDI initiated the project. “The Alex 100 project will go a long way to redressing this.” Having seen the success of the Soweto Festival Expo, and participated in it last ZFBS ("-9$0$ BQQSPBDIFE "-1 UP BTTJTU it in creating and organising a series of events and activities to mark Alexandra’s centenary.
Soweto Festival Expo www.sowetofestivalexpo.co.za The Soweto Festival is the largest event of
its kind in the country and is sponsored by the W&R Seta, the City of Joburg, Standard Bank, Shoprite, Brandhouse, the University of Johannesburg and eTV. The original Soweto Homemakers Festival ran from 1983 to 1985 as a joint venture between Adele Lucas Promotions and the Soweto Chamber of Commerce. In 2005 it was revived as The Soweto Festival and Absa took on the naming rights, which they retained in 2006. From 2007 to 2009 the City of Joburg was the main sponsor, and in 2010 the W&R Seta assumed the role of Platinum Sponsor. The Soweto Festival is the principal event in Soweto that draws together business, SMMEs, youth, community organisations, consumers and all the people of Soweto on an annual basis to celebrate Soweto’s richness and diversity. The Soweto Festival features a full arts and culture programme including music,
Best of Soweto
|
95
dance, drama, poetry, storytelling and arts and crafts. It is an exhibition of corporate and small business products and services, outdoor entertainment and catering for the whole family around this event. The 2007 Festival took place from 21st to 24th September 2007 at the Walter Sisulu Square, Kliptown. The 2008 Festival took place at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus from 24th to 28th September and attracted record crowds – over 45 000 people. The 2009 Festival ran from 24th to 27th September while the 2010 Festival Expo ran from September 23rd to 26th.
Festival of Africa www.festivalofafrica.co.za The Festival of Africa was conceptualised as an event that would showcase the continent’s tourism, cultural and business opportunities, as well as act as a venue for the hosting of VIPs in the business, government, arts, media and investment sectors. Hosted by the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA) and organised by Adele Lucas Promotions, the Festival of Africa was Africa’s signature event during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The Festival was endorsed by the African Union and NEPAD, who view the Festival as an important 2010 legacy project. It was also supported by the South African Department of Tourism, (BVUFOH 5PVSJTN BOE +PCVSH 5PVSJTN XIP saw it as the perfect vehicle for showcasing Africa’s best to the world.
96
|
Best of Soweto
The 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup Finals was an African World Cup, with South Africa playing host to the world on behalf of the entire continent of Africa. Six African teams competed with twenty six others from five continents in this great sporting spectacular. The importance of the Finals to Africa was summed up by Chelsea star and CĂ´te D’Ivoire captain Didier Drogba: “We believe this is an opportunity for Africans to show what they can do, to the rest of the worldâ€?.
Khayelitsha Festival www.khayelitshafestival.co.za The inaugural Khayelitsha Festival was staged at the OR Tambo Hall, Khayelitsha in October 2008 to coincide with the community’s 25th birthday. Sponsored jointly by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Provincial (PWFSONFOU UIF 'FTUJWBM XBT B TNBMMFS version of the Soweto Festival and was a huge success, attracting approximately 10 000 people over three days. Supported CZ UIF 1SPWJODJBM (PWFSONFOU PG UIF 8FTUFSO Cape and the City of Cape Town, the festival is run in partnership with the Khayelitsha Development Forum. Galeshewe Urban Renewal Programme www.galeshewefestival.co.za ALP has been contracted to manage the communications and event management for UIF (BMFTIFXF 6SCBO 3FOFXBM 1SPHSBNNF (631 CZ UIF 4PM 1MBBUKF .VOJDJQBMJUZ *O "QSJM "-1 TUBHFE UIF à STU (631 Investment Indaba, as well as a cultural event
to celebrate the community’s successes. We BMTP QSPEVDFE UIF (631 *OEBCB OFXTMFUUFS and initiated a publicity campaign to promote JOXBSE JOWFTUNFOU JOUP (BMFTIFXF BT part of the Neighbourhood Development 1BSUOFSTIJQ (SBOU "-1 IBT CFFO BQQPJOUFE BT DPOTVMUBOU PO UIF (BMFTIFXF 'FTUJWBM BOE Investment Summit which is due to be staged in November 2010. Cape Town Festival ALP initiated this event which was staged in 1991 and 1992, attracting record publicity. The objectives of the Festival were to highlight the various cultures and talents in the city and to bring the Festival to the people and the people to the Festival. Secondly, it was designed to re-awaken the CBD\City Bowl of Cape Town. The festival was the first of its kind in South Africa to be truly representative of all peoples and all cultures and colours. The Get Ahead Shebeen +PJOUMZ QSFTFOUFE CZ "-1 BOE 5IF (FU "IFBE Organisation, the opening of the shebeen in Rosebank celebrated the inauguration of Nelson Mandela in 1994 and became home to thousands of international media. This shebeen was publicised all over the world and became the definitive post-apartheid venue of choice. The Sophiatown Experience In 2000 ALP recreated a historical township scenario at the Sandton Convention Centre with Sophiatown as the central theme. The venue was completely transformed with a boxing ring with live boxers, fishtail Cadillacs, shoeshine peddlers, wandering minstrels, food stores, and shebeens with massive backdrops depicting the scenes from those days. The Sophiatown Experience was
presented as a theatrical musical bringing back some of the stars such as Hugh Masekela, Thandi Klaasens, Dolly Radebe and many others. The Pick ‘n Pay 94.7 World Festival of Food and Drink This Festival/Exhibition was launched in 2002 at The Dome in Randburg and was a consumer exhibition featuring food and wine products with a strong emphasis on experiential marketing, sampling, demonstrations and entertainment. The UIFNF PG UIF 'FTUJWBM XBT SFĂĄFDUFE UISPVHI the representation of some twenty authentic international and ethnic communities residing in our country. Each community was given space to create an authentic restaurant and the result was a colourful WORLD IN ONE COUNTRY with international music, food and entertainment. Over 40 000 people attended this Festival. Macufe – Lethabong, The Family For the inaugural Macufe Festival, ALP were sub-contracted by Welcome Msomi to manage and create the entire stadium programme over a five-day period which included a major concert, Heritage Day Celebrations, Fantasy Land for Children with workshops and entertainment, an arts and craft exhibition, a Float Procession / Parade and a full programme of activities at the showground. This became the most popular venue of the Festival drawing crowds in excess of 80 000. In short, a Community Project to highlight the culture and talents of the people. Dockside Splash, Cape Town This company created and managed the very first Cape Town Waterfront theatrical event. We took over a massive venue and created
Best of Soweto
|
97
was acknowledged throughout the art world of South Africa. The overall campaign included – media, marketing, schools participation, competitions, entertainment, workshops, internet marketing, the creation of own Website, tourist facilities and services, liaison with sponsors (local and foreign) – The City of Pretoria, Department of Education, Arts and Culture and the museum. The result was the most successful art exhibition ever to be held in Southern Africa attracting some 100 000 visitors. Home Shows ALP has run 18 Home Shows – almost once a year for the past 20 years. These shows, many of which had The Star as the media partner, have become legendary for their promotional value to developers of large SFTJEFOUJBM DPNNVOJUJFT JO (BVUFOH .BOZ PG the most prestigious developments including Dainfern and Hartebeespoort were promoted in this way, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to view and buy properties. ALP MBVODIFE UIF (BSEFOFS 3PTT EFWFMPQNFOU in Centurion in November 2007. This estate features the only Ernie Els signature golf DPVSTF JO (BVUFOH 5IF HSBOE QSJ[F XBT B free plot valued at R1.9 million.
two huge events – a musical production written by Neil McCarthy and put on in the first bistro theatre Cape Town had seen. Daimler Chrysler 3 Year Art, Music and Dance Awards "-1 MBVODIFE UIJT QSPKFDU JO (BVUFOH working with artists, musicians and dance experts. As the client was Daimler Chrysler, (FSNBOZ JU XBT OFDFTTBSZ GPS "-1 UP IBOEMF not only the marketing campaign but the
98
|
Best of Soweto
interface between the various stakeholders such as the Minister of Arts and Culture, the local judging panels and the artists themselves. The Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition – Pretoria Art Museum ALP was employed by the Pretoria Art Museum and The City of Pretoria to organise and market this phenomenal Leonardo da Vinci Exhibition. The success of this exhibition
CONTACT DETAILS Toby Chance Managing Director Adele Lucas Promotions 75 Oxford Road P O Box 52633, Saxonwold 2132 Tel: + 27 11 646 5630 Fax: + 27 11 646 8254 www.adelelucas.co.za e-mail: toby@adelelucas.co.za
Adele Lucas Promotions supporting young talent from UJ
Nandi Khumalo and Jessica Grobbelaar, recipients of the Adele Lucas Bursary 2011 In honour of Adele Lucas, two bursaries have been awarded to 4th Year University of Johannesburg (UJ) Architecture students, /BOEJ ,IVNBMP BOE +FTTJDB (SPCCFMBBS Adele Lucas had a passion for the development of women in business and the arts, and was one of the founder members of the Monday Club which in the 1960s promoted the interests of women in what was then a very male dominated society. Soon after Adele’s death in June 2010, Adele Lucas Promotions and members of her family decided to fund the Adele Lucas Bursary. The bursary, in honour of this remarkable woman, provides the means for deserving students to earn an education in the arts before embarking on their careers. Female BTech Degree students, from all eight art and design disciplines offered at the UJ Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (www.uj.ac.za/fada), applied for the bursary. After a rigorous selection process "SDIJUFDUVSF TUVEFOUT +FTTJDB (SPCCFMBBS and Nandi Khumalo, were awarded the two bursaries valued at R25 000 each.
Adele Lucas Promotions (ALP) and the Adele Lucas Family awards bursary to University of Johannesburg Architecture students. From left: Mr Toby Chance, Managing Director, Adele Lucas Promotions; Ms Nandi Khumalo, BTech Architectural Technology Degree student, University of Johannesburg; Ms Jessica Grobbelaar, BTech Architectural Technology Degree student, University of Johannesburg; Ms Diana Lucas, representing the Lucas family; Dr Finzi Saidi, Vice-Dean of the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
“We are proud that as part of Adele’s legacy we are giving two deserving young women a helping hand in their careers� adds Toby Chance, Managing Director of Adele Lucas Promotions. “The quality of the applicants was superb, which is a tribute to UJ and to the students’ dedication to their studies.�
“This bursary allows us to focus on excelling in our studies without the burden of financial issues� says Miss Nandi Khumalo. Miss +FTTJDB (SPCCFMBBS BEET i8F BSF TP HSBUFGVM to the Adele Lucas family for the recognition they have given us and their general interest in supporting young creatives�. For more information contact: “Many of our students rely on external funding in order to continue with their studies, but the support available to creative disciplines is limited. The Adele Lucas Bursary is, therefore, a positive initiative that benefits our Faculty, our talented students, and the larger art and design community� says Vice-Dean of the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture.
University of Johannesburg Faculty General Enquiries Tel: +27 11 559 1098 web-fada@uj.ac.za Mr Toby Chance Adele Lucas Promotions Tel: + 27 11 646 5630 Email: toby@adelelucas.co.za
About the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture The UJ Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture housed eight departments offering nine creative disciplines in their custom-built facilities on the UJ Bunting Road Campus. Approximately 1200 creative students are studying towards obtaining qualifications in the following fields: Architecture, Clothing Management, 'BTIJPO %FTJHO (SBQIJD %FTJHO Industrial Design, Interior Design, Jewellery Design, and Multimedia.
www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/fada/ Pages/default.aspx
Best of Soweto
|
99
4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM t &YQP Friday 21 to Monday 24 September 2012 www.sowetofestivalexpo.co.za
100 |
Best of Soweto
The Soweto Festival Expo took a major step forward in 2011 with the move to the Joburg Expo Centre at Nasrec. This became necessary due to the expansion of the event, and the need to offer activities which our former venue, the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus, could not accommodate. With the 2012 event set to run for the eighth consecutive year, the Soweto Festival Expo is the principal event in Soweto that draws together business, SMMEs, youth, community organisations, consumers and all the people of Soweto on an annual basis to celebrate Soweto’s richness and diversity. It’s an event not to be missed. THE STORY The Soweto Festival is a re-incarnation of the Soweto Homemakers Expo which Adele Lucas Promotions (ALP) ran as a joint venture with the Soweto Chamber of Commerce from 1983 to 1985 – in the midst of the political instability of the mid-1980s. The Soweto Homemakers Expo was the first event of its kind to be staged in a black township and revolutionised the township marketing and exhibitions industry. The Soweto Homemakers Expo, which acquired legendary status, was held for three consecutive years and was a phenomenal success for exhibitors, sponsors and visitors. The expo attracted 80 000 visitors each year. The value of the festival, which includes a major expo of Soweto businesses, was immense for Soweto, its people and especially its small and informal traders. The expo gave many small businesses the opportunity to exhibit their goods alongside industry leaders, as well as learn valuable lessons through skills transfer workshops and interaction with larger organisations. After the first expo, which was staged in Mofolo Park, Adele Lucas Promotions raised over R2-million to fund the construction of the Jabavu Expo Centre, which housed the expo in 1984 and 1985, as well as small business development programmes. The expo developed real business opportunities for Soweto entrepreneurs, many of which still have very successful businesses. In addition the festival was an outlet for community and cultural activities with a massive entertainment programme that included choirs, township jive, mime artists, ballroom dancing, photographic and art competitions. The entertainment programme
Best of Soweto
| 101
some of the country’s leading brands. The Festival Expo helps create a sense of pride in Soweto in the eyes of all South Africans and helps establish Soweto as a global brand. The Festival Expo also provides a platform for the promotion of government departments, community organisations and NGOs. VENUE
involved more than 1 000 artists and helped launch the careers of many big names, including Ladysmith Black Mambaso, Jaluka and Steve Kekana, to name but a few. The Soweto Homemakers Expo created and utilised local Soweto services where possible, involved schools in a variety of events and stimulated other project driven activities. After a twenty year absence, at the request of the City of Johannesburg, Adele Lucas Promotions revived this highly acclaimed event which was named the Absa Soweto Festival after Absa came on board as the major sponsor. The aim of the festival was to highlight and celebrate 100 years of Soweto history and to pave the way for a new era of business development and tourism in Soweto. In 2009, Adele Lucas Promotions brought the Greater Soweto Business Forum
102 |
Best of Soweto
in as a partner of the event, to empower the Soweto business community and give it a stake in the Festival’s future successes. The Soweto Festival Expo, as it is now known, continues the tradition established 28 years ago of growing the Soweto economy and helping integrate it into the wider Johannesburg business network. The Soweto Festival Expo’s mission is to contribute to the long-term development of greater Soweto’s economy and community. Soweto residents’ annual retail spending power tops R8-billion but only a quarter of this finds its way back into the hands of Sowetans. The Festival Expo provides a vehicle for businesses in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, to reclaim their rightful share of this spending by placing local enterprises and SMMEs side by side with
The new venue for the event is the Joburg Expo Centre, at the Nasrec precinct which is adjacent to the FNB Stadium. Now regarded as part of Soweto, due to its proximity to Diepkloof, Joburg Expo Centre offers unrivalled facilities for exhibitors, entertainment and visitors and opens up a host of possibilities for new activities at the Soweto Festival Expo. “We have seen considerable growth in the event over the past three years, and are grateful to UJ for accommodating us during that time” said ALP Managing Director Toby Chance in a statement to mark the move to Nasrec. “With the number of SMMEs and other exhibitors steadily increasing we found that UJ did not have sufficient space for our needs. We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with the management of Expo Centre, which will become our home for at least the next three years” the statement continued. “We at the Johannesburg Expo Centre are delighted to be the new home of the Soweto Festival Expo” added Craig Newman, CEO of Expo Centre. “We are conveniently located on all three major arterial highways and in addition to that, the refurbishment of the Expo Centre and the Nasrec Precinct has proved to be a winning formula as we continue to experience an increase in the quantity and quality of visitors making use of our facilities. The 2011 Soweto Festival Expo was a tremendous success and we are very excited about working with the organisers to grow the show in the years to come.” ACTIVITIES AND PROMOTIONS Lifestyle and Leisure Exhibition 200 exhibition stands were on show, offering the consumer and trade visitor an unrivalled
range of goods and services to satisfy every need. The exhibition was situated in Halls 9 and 10 at the Joburg Expo Centre, as well as in the outdoor areas. Exhibitors are given every opportunity to brand and market themselves within the exhibition, which featured large and small organisations from a variety of sectors. Exhibitor packages range from 6 sq m to custom stands of virtually any size. r $BSFFST 7JMMBHF r )FBMUI CFBVUZ GBTIJPO r 'VSOJUVSF IPNF BOE LJUDIFO BQQMJBODFT r 5SBWFM UPVSJTN r 8PSME PG 'PPE %SJOL DIFG T BSFOB r 0VUEPPS HBSEFOJOH r %*: BOE IPNF EFDPS r (PWFSONFOU 7JMMBHF r )J 5FDI PGà DF BOE TNBMM CVTJOFTT TVQQMJFT r .PUPS 8PSME r 4QPSUT SFDSFBUJPOBM HPPET r "SUT DSBGUT IFSJUBHF r $PNNVOJUZ QSPKFDUT /(0T r 1SPQFSUZ à OBODF CVTJOFTT TFSWJDFT SMME Project Close to 400 SMMEs formed an important component of the Festival Expo’s goal of providing the small business sector of Soweto and surrounding areas with a chance to reap the economic rewards of South Africa’s FDPOPNJD HSPXUI 4QPOTPSFE CZ 8 34&5" the participating businesses were provided with a comprehensive training programme focusing on business fundamentals and preparing them for the exhibition. They were then provided with a furnished exhibition stand, marketing materials and mentorship as part of the package. The SMME project offers corporate and government sponsors an opportunity to support small businesses and entrepreneurs who show promise and have the potential to grow into larger, sustainable organisations. The University of Johannesburg Centre for Small Business Development conducted an Impact Assessment on the 2010 SMME project and concluded that it succeeded in making a significant impact on the 200 participating SMMEs. In terms of how the Soweto Festival Expo
met their expectations, the mean score on expectations was 4.1 out of 5, which is a very good score overall. Youth Zone and Careers Expo 5IF :PVUI ;POF CVJMET PO UIF FYUSBPSEJOBSZ success of previous Soweto Festival Expos, which introduced entertainment, career guidance, drama and a youth-oriented exhibition into the mix. Adele Lucas Promotions and our sponsor partners, Gauteng City Region Academy, once again Brought the youth a vibrant mix of music, theatre, visual art, talk and the chance to meet established and rising stars. The emphasis continued to be on providing young visitors with inspiration, information and motivation for their future careers, blended with fun and all the irresistible elements of youth culture including their favourite brands in clothing, accessories, hitech and much more. 5IF :PVUI ;POF BOE $BSFFST &YQP was open for the full three days of the Festival Expo. Schools and youth-based organisations were targeted to attend and the resources of the Gauteng Department of Education were being mustered to transport over 4 000 Grades 11 and 12 learners to the Expo over the three days. Lifestyle, Fashion and Culture The Festival Expo placed even more emphasis than in former years on youth, fashion, interior decorating, health and beauty – these are particularly popular to Festival goers. Soweto’s lifestyle is rapidly changing and the 2011 Festival Expo showcased them like never before. The fashion shows, featuring local designers and models, have become a highlight of the Festival and 2011 did not disappoint. 5-a-side Soccer Tournament For the first time at the Soweto Festival
Expo, a 5-a-side Soccer Tournament was organised on the Saturday in the main arena, in partnership with Interactive Sport, who are specialists in putting on tournaments of this kind. Attracting over 50 teams, the event was a great success and will be repeated on a large scale in 2012 to include schools and colleges. Our aim was to link up the corporate teams with the SMME exhibitors and create linkages between them in areas such as enterprise development and procurement. Entertainment The entertainment programme in 2011 saw many more activities for the whole family to enjoy, from street performers roaming around the Festival to big name artists and emerging bands playing on the main stage. All the major musical genres were represented. On the Sunday, etv hosted a family day on the main stage where many of their famous soap and drama stars entertained the crowds until long into the night. Beat the Best Hip Hop Competition This featured teams from across Gauteng in a knock-out competition, finding the best Hip Hop group in Mzansi! Hansa Pilsner Beer Garden Sponsored by South African Breweries and situated close to the main arena, the beer garden was the perfect resting and meeting place to put up weary feet after hours of bargain-hunting in the exhibition or jiving to the beat on the main stage. MARKETING AND COMMUNICATONS An important ingredient of success for the Festival Expo is getting the big media players in Soweto to support and promote the event. 0VS TUSBUFHZ XBT UP FOHBHF XJUI UIF MBSHF 57 radio and print media owners and appoint one
Best of Soweto
| 103
meet the targeted objectives. r 1PTUFS $BNQBJHO %FTJHO QSJOU boardmounting and erection, selection of prime poster sites r -FBĂĄFUT 'MZFST %FTJHO QSPEVDUJPO BOE creative distribution campaign r /FXTQBQFST %FTJHO QSPEVDUJPO BOE placement of advertising; ongoing editorial and advertorial r .BHB[JOFT %FTJHO QSPEVDUJPO BOE placement of advertising r 57 5FMFWJTJPO FEJUPSJBM DBNQBJHO r 3BEJP %FTJHO BOE QSPEVDUJPO PG SBEJP advertisements and PR campaign r *OUFSOFU -FBEJOH POMJOF QBSUOFS UP IPTU festival promotions, online competitions and online give-aways r 4PDJBM NFEJB 1MBUGPSNT TVDI BT 'BDFCPPL Twitter, Mixit and more, will be exploited to the fullest extent possible
in each media category as a media partner on a trade exchange basis. Event sponsors consist of a mix of television, radio and newspaper. etv was the television sponsor for the third year running, and activated their sponsorship in a big way. Major newspaper sponsors included Sunday Sun and Daily Sun with Jozi FM fm as radio sponsor covering the event. Other major sponsors were White Star Maize, who sponsored the Miss Teen Soweto pageant and Putco, who sponsored 5 branded busses which ferried visitors to and from Nasrec for free throughout the weekend. In addition to enlisting the support of media partners, ALP developed a marketing campaign targeting as wide an audience as possible. The promotional and communication objectives are highlighted as follows: r 5P FOTVSF UIBU 4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM &YQP as a brand, is consistently involved in
104 |
Best of Soweto
promotional activities and events to ensure ongoing top-of-mind awareness. r 5P FTUBCMJTI UIF 4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM &YQP BT BO industry leader within its target market. r *EFOUJĂ BCMZ DPOOFDUJOH UIF CSBOE UP TQFDJĂ D entertainment and promotional events. r 5P DSFBUF BOE TUSFOHUIFO SFMBUJPOTIJQT with key media as well as to launch and maintain maximum brand exposure for the Soweto Festival Expo through all possible media channels and formats. Targeted marketing campaign The target audience included young people, families and upwardly mobile residents of the locality where the Festival is staged, but also the wider community of Johannesburg, Gauteng and interested international parties. To ensure the Soweto Festival Expo received the exposure necessary, a marketing and communications campaign covering the entire media spectrum was implemented to
Public Relations Adele Lucas Promotions have over 30 years experience in the Media and PR industry and are specialists in this field. ALP and Flow PR developed a comprehensive PR campaign for the benefit of all stakeholders. r 1SF BOE QPTU DBNQBJHO UBSHFUFE BU BCPWF mentioned Media r 1SFTT SFMFBTFT UP BMM MFBEJOH QVCMJDBUJPOT and electronic media r 13 PQQPSUVOJUJFT DSFBUFE BOE FYFDVUFE GPS maximum exposure FEEDBACK FROM SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS etv – etv is proud to be part of the Soweto Festival Expo for the past 4 years. The 2011 event blew us away; it was well organised and executed. The product activation allowed us to interact with our viewers. It was great to witness the passion for our brand and the various shows featured at the festival e.g. eNews, Sunrise, Rhythm City, Scandal! and even new programs such as Step Up or Step Out and Blame it on Fame etc. Well done Adele Lucas team for putting together another spectacular event. We are looking forward to 2012! Nintendo – Soweto Festival was one of the best festivals we attended on the Road show,
it was a great success and we are very happy that we were there. Ultimate Organic Therapy – I have to say that this is the best festival that I have ever attended in my thirty five years of doing shows all over the world. I have never seen so many activities that you can have in one place, all the family come out and have a good time and good, clean fun. I think the venue is just perfect, you have so many different halls, so many different places for so many different BDUJWJUJFT BOE JU BMM NFSHFE UPHFUIFS :FTUFSEBZ I walked around the show for the first time and I was totally impressed. Art with heArt Africa – Thank you Carolyn, I am ignited by what I do and who I do it with. * IBWF KVTU åPVSJTIFE XJUI UIF BTTJTUBODF SFceived through mentoring and the networking opportunities, it was all phenomenal! I have UP BEE UISPVHI "EFMF -VDBT 1SPNPUJPOT The Business Place, not forgetting Raizcorp’s input and up skilling! Oasys Innovations – Congratulations on a brilliantly successful event. It was such a pleasure to see the crowds and the great spirit and vibe everyone had. White Star Maize – Soweto Festival is a good fit with my brand. Being our first involvement with the festival, I was surprised to find that it is bigger than I expected. Department of Trade & Industry – Thank ZPV 7&3: NVDI GPS ZPVS LJOE BTTJTUBODF Nombulelo, before and during the Soweto Festival. We really appreciate your willingness to accommodate the Department of Trade and Industry’s requests, and your efficiency in getting things done. Tropika – Greenworld Productions on behalf of Tropika would like to thank all you the team (Adele Lucas Promotions) of The Soweto Festival Expo for a great opportunity to be part of the exhibition. We are very humble to have been part of that successful event and I agree that this year’s expo was more of a success. I strongly believe the next year’s expo (2012) will be bigger and better than any other.
New Start HIV counseling & testing – Thank you once again for the opportunity you afforded New Start to offer our HCT services at the Soweto Festival this previous weekend. Hoping to strengthen our partnership as the festival continues to grow over the years. We managed to counsel and test 200 clients at the festival this year. W&RSETA – We have been at the Soweto Festival Expo for the past three years but this year took it to a whole new level, it was brilliant! Democratic Alliance – It was fantastic, many thanks, it was a wonderful opportunity afforded us and we made many useful contacts!
Joburg Metro Police Department – I am pretty sure all the exhibitors who took part will agree with me that this year’s Expo was one of the greatest successes thus far. Jozi FM – The EXPO was a great success indeed, and I am grateful that we were able to contribute towards that. Created and organised by: Adele Lucas Promotions Public Relations & Event Management For more information please visit www.sowetofestivalexpo.co.za Or contact: Tom McCafferty at sales@adelelucas.co.za Telephone: + 27 11 646 5630
%PVCMF IFBEFS &YTB "XBSET GPS "EFMF -VDBT 1SPNPUJPOT Adele Lucas Promotions received two awards at the annual Exsa Awards Banquet on 3rd November 2011. Exsa, the Exhibitions and Events Association of Southern "GSJDB JT UIF PGĂ DJBM JOEVTUSZ CPEZ SFQSFTFOUJOH FWFOU 7FOVFT Organisers, Exhibition Designers, Stand Builders, Service Companies and Associate organisations. Exsa has operated continuously since 1980, one year after Adele Lucas founded Adele Lucas Promotions. At the banquet, Adele Lucas was inducted (posthumously) into the Exsa Hall of Fame, while the Soweto Festival Expo received a Certificate of Excellence in the Most Memorable Event 2011 category. “We are extremely pleased to have received this recognition from our industry peersâ€? commented Toby Chance, Managing Director of Adele Lucas Promotions. “Adele was an icon in the events and exhibitions industry for over 40 years and set new standards for creativity and innovation. She created the forerunner to the Soweto Festival Expo in the 1980s, the Soweto Homemakers Expo, which was the first event of its kind to be staged in a black township. Adele Lucas Promotions revived it in a modern guise in 2005 and now, seven years later, the Soweto Festival Expo has come of age.â€? The Soweto Festival Expo ran from 23rd to 25th September 2011 at the Joburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. Attracting over 30 000 people and a record number of exhibitors, the event was widely applauded for the diversity of activities on offer as well as its commitment to supporting small business, the arts and entertainment sector and for its youth development programme. “I am confident the Soweto Festival Expo will go from strength to strength and we look forward to attracting an even bigger following from exhibitors, sponsors, media and the visiting public next yearâ€? added Chance.
Best of Soweto
| 105
+PIBOOFTCVSH &YQP $FOUSF 15: -5% +PIBOOFTCVSH &YQP $FOUSF 15: -5% +&$ JT 4PVUI "GSJDB T MBSHFTU purpose built exhibitions, conferences and events venue, as well as one of Johannesburg’s best known landmarks.
It was built in 1984 and recently underwent a R36 million venue upgrade along with a R30 million precinct revamp of the surrounding Nasrec precinct by the City of Joburg. We offer world class facilities, validated by the coveted PMR Diamond Arrow Award for best exhibition venue in South Africa 2011. We also received our international stamp of approval when we were elected to host the International Broadcast Centre along with the City of Joburg during the FIFA Soccer World Cup. Our target market consists of exhibition, conference and event organisers, whether they are direct corporations, event organising businesses or individuals. The venue is conveniently situated in the south of Johannesburg and offers: r .VMUJQVSQPTF IBMMT QSPWJEJOH NPSF UIBO 50 000m of space under roof. r NĂŁ PG PVUEPPS TQBDF r 'MFYJCMF DPOGFSFODF GBDJMJUJFT UIBU DBUFS GPS anything from 10 to 10 000 delegates. r " NVMUJ QVSQPTF BSFOB UIBU DBO
106 |
Best of Soweto
accommodate up to 20 000 people. r .PSF UIBO QBSLJOH CBZT r 'JWF TUBS DBUFSJOH GBDJMJUJFT r "O BSSBZ PG QSFGFSSFE BOE QSPGFTTJPOBM service providers. r IPVS TFDVSJUZ r " DPOWFOJFOU MPDBUJPO XJUI FBTF PG BDDFTT to all of Johannesburg’s major arterial highways and within 30 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport. r 8JUIJO .JOVUFT UP B WBSJFUZ PG UISFF GPVS and five star hotels. Exhibition Complement Although we are probably best known for the Rand Show, we also host several major exhibitions such as: r "VUP.FDIBOJLB r &MFDUSB .JOJOH r &MFOFY "GSJDB r *OUFSCVJME r "JSDPO 7FOU "GSJDB r "GSJDB )FBMUI &YIJCJUJPO BOE $POHSFTT r +PIBOOFTCVSH *OUFSOBUJPOBM .PUPS 4IPX (JIMS)
r 4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM r (MBTT &YQP "GSJDB r "GSJ8BUFS r 8PPE1SP "GSJDB r #BCB *OEBCB r 1SPDFTT 4IPX r 5IF 4UBS *OUFSCVJME "GSJDB Upcoming exhibitions r "GSJ8BUFS JT B CJFOOJBM XBUFS BOE XBTUF exhibition and conference running from 13-15 September which will focus on adapting pumping systems for an “Era of Limited and Expansive Power�. r 5IF 4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM IBT SFMPDBUFE UP the JEC this year and plans to attract new markets to the consumer show from 21-24 September. They promise great entertainment to get consumers of all ages engaged. r 5IF NVDI BOUJDJQBUFE CJFOOJBM +*.4 SFUVSOT this year from 6-16 October aiming to be a bigger and better show for its visitors, with exciting luxury and concept vehicle launches.
JEC is also known for hosting phenomenal year end functions. The multipurpose venues can accommodate 10-10 000 people, from intimate luncheons to elaborate themed parties. We have successfully hosted .VMUJ$IPJDF F57 4BTPM 0OF$FMM BOE $PDB Cola Kids to name a few. If you are still wondering how to celebrate the memorable year whilst topping last year’s year end function, look no further than JEC. We offer competitive rates and boast a wellequipped and experienced team that will tailor make a package to suit your individual needs.
Contact details Tel: +27 11 494 1920 Fax: +27 11 494 1005 Email: info@expocentre.co.za Physical address: cnr Rand Show and Nasrec Road Nasrec, Johannesburg GPS Co-ordinates: S26˚ 14810 E27˚ 58695 Website: www.expocentre.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 107
CHAPTER 5 .BMM %FTUJOBUJPOT 'BTIJPO 3FUBJM
108 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 109
.BMM %FTUJOBUJPOT Soweto was never considered a mall destination in the past, but the landscape seems to be changing.
Through the introduction of shopping malls into the area, Soweto has become the site of massive development. Investment potential has been raised through increasing property prices and international visitor numbers. An up-market transformation is taking place, bringing with it a touch of glitz and glamour whilst simultaneously ensuring that Sowetan earned money remains circulating in Soweto. This brings the world’s most famous township, and South Africa’s largest, a step closer to earning city status independent of Johannesburg.
110 |
Best of Soweto
Maponya Mall This transformation seems to have begun with the Maponya Mall project, after the mall was officially opened on 27 September 2007. This 65 000 square metre Soweto shopping centre is a R650-million complex with marble ĂĄPPST *U IBT TFDVSFE TUSPOH DPNNJUNFOU from local business, as well as top national SFUBJMFST XIP IBWF TFWFSBM ĂĄBHTIJQ TUPSFT there. Maponya Mall aims to capture the ĂĄPX PG BO FTUJNBUFE 3 CJMMJPO QFS BOOVN
in potential revenue currently being spent outside of Soweto, and boost the local economy. Maponya Mall began as a lifelong dream of 87-year old Soweto businessman Richard Maponya, who has owned the land there for 33 years. His Soweto business ventures began humbly with a dairy in the 1950s. In the 1960s, Richard Maponya then branched out swiftly by opening a butchery, grocery stores, a restaurant, liquor stores, petrol stations, and car dealerships.
Afriscope conducted an accessibility study of Gauteng’s large shopping centres and found that Maponya Mall is by far the closest to the largest number of people and within the shortest travelling time. It is strategically and conveniently placed near 1.2-million people who have approximately five minutes travel time by road. Located in Pimville, Richard Maponya’s development of Maponya Mall was done with the assistance of his daughter Chichi. The Mall has over 200 stores and includes some of South Africa’s top retailers. It also has an eight screen cinema complex – which is a first for Soweto. Maponya Mall was a momentous and timely boost for the sprawling township, which has a population of 1.7-million people. The growing township is upheld by a burgeoning black middle class, which has grown by an astounding 30%. This is the core which fuels the growth, most notably in development and increased demand for shopping and entertainment destinations. Address: 2127 Chris Hani Road, Klipspruit Ext5, Soweto www.maponyamall.co.za
Diepkloof Square Construction on the new Diepkloof Square began in December 2011. As the Diepkloof Extension is one of the wealthiest township suburbs in the country, the design and tenant offering had to go above and beyond traditional centre offerings. The location also has excellent access to the main arterial road serving Diepkloof, Immink Road, as well as in close proximity to the N1 Highway. It’s visibility in this location make it an ideal retail development. With an opening date of October 2012, Diepkloof Square community shopping centre in Soweto aims to transform convenient shopping for local residents. The 16,108 square metre community centre will be anchored by Pick n Pay with a store measuring 3,112 square metres. There are 40 shops, plus generous parking, excellent access to public transport and an adjacent existing taxi rank. Retailers that have identified the centre as providing excellent access to Diepkloof the consumer market include Ellerines, Bears, 0, 'VSOJUVSF (FFO 3JDIBSET .D%POBMET
Best of Soweto
| 111
There are more than 104 stores at Jabulani Mall, boasting such anchor tenants as Shoprite, Woolworths, Edgars, Truworths and Game, Jabulani Mall is a dominant retail centre in Soweto. The fashion component comprises over 18 000m , including 10 chain stores made up of the Foschini Group as well as other wellknown brands, such as PEP, Ackermans, Jet, Legit, Identity and Mr Price Group. Quick Facts r 5IFSF BSF NPSF UIBO TUPSFT BU +BCVMBOJ r 5IF DFOUSF JT B GPDBM QPJOU GPS 4PXFUP r +BCVMBOJ .BMM DSFBUFT CFUXFFO m permanent jobs; r +BCVMBOJ JT BODIPSFE CZ B Nã 4IPQSJUF supermarket; r +BCVMBOJ CPBTUT UIF POMZ (BNF TUPSF JO Soweto, which occupies 6000m ; r 5IF GBTIJPO DPNQPOFOU DPNQSJTFT PG 18 000m . Steers, Debonairs, Old Mutual, Nedbank, KFC, and Cashbuild. The tenant mix was chosen to provide upmarket elements while still offering a large variety of grocery and food stores relevant to all income groups. Diepkloof Square is being developed by McCormick Property Development. This development group have been pioneers in South African retail development, most notably in emerging markets. They have been in operation since 1983 and have completed 49 projects to date. McCormick’s partners in the project are Shanduka
112 |
Best of Soweto
Group, who are a leading African black owned and managed investment holding company. Address: Immink Road, Diepkloof, Soweto Jabulani Mall Situated on the corner of Koma and Bolani Road on a 10-hectare veld site, Jabulani Mall opened its doors on 26 October 2006 in the heartland of Soweto, Jabulani. With over 100 stores, Jabulani Mall prides itself in being in tune with the needs of the community. The chairman and owner of Jabulani Mall is Mike Nkuna.
The Mall Jabulani is located in the traditional heartland of Soweto. The council has identified some time ago that it should be the administrative and local government node as well as one of the cultural hubs of Soweto. The total project fee and investment in the construction of Jabulani was in excess of R320-million. The location of Jabulani in Soweto has a densely populated residential node with 68 000 households in a three kilometre radius of primary trade area, with a further 170 000 households in the secondary trade area.
The centre is a focal point for Soweto with good quality tenants suiting the market, as well as restaurants and adequate parking. It is a special attraction for local inhabitants and the growing number of tourists in the area and has helped create a cultural facility. At Jabulani Mall there is something for everyone, both young and old alike. Jabulani Mall not only offers a wide variety of fashion stores, but also offers its shoppers a wide selection of restaurants, coffee shops and takeaways, catering for all tastes and needs. Address: 2196/7 Cnr Koma & Bolani Road, Jabulani, Soweto www.jabulanimall.co.za Protea Gardens Mall Protea Gardens Mall is situated in Protea a suburb of Soweto. It’s one of the first of its kind to be established in Soweto itself. The colourful symbol is made up four coils of purple, pink, green and orange, pointing in different directions, which represents not only the diversity and different mix of people and cultures in and around Soweto, but is also representative of the growth that has taken place in all directions. Developed by Greenwold Property in 2005, this R106-million mall was the biggest shopping centre to open in Soweto at the time, essentially paving the way for Soweto’s shopping culture. Protea Gardens opened its doors to the public in 2005 and has since increased its
retail shops to a formidable 85 stores, helping bring convenience to the community’s shopping requirements. It boasts a diverse shopping experience with a wide variety of shops, from grocery stores to various retail stores including cell phone stores, clothing and shoe boutiques, and various beauty stores. There are also numerous food outlets situated in the centre. This offers the local community the shopping experience that previously they would have to travel out of Soweto to experience. The centre is situated on the busy Old Potch Road, a major taxi route, and is close to the local railway station. This provides easy access to this unique shopping experience for the local community. Store categories include: r #BOLT BOE 'JOBODJBM r #VUDIFSZ BOE #PUUMF 4UPSF r &MFDUSPOJDT BOE $FMMVMBS r 'BTIJPO r 'PPUXFBS r 'VSOJUVSF BOE )PNF r (FOFSBM %FBMFS BOE )BSEXBSF r )FBMUI BOE #FBVUZ r 0QUJDBM r 3FTUBVSBOUT BOE 'BTU 'PPE r 4FSWJDFT r 4QPSUJOH Address: Old Potchefsteroom Road and Alekhine Street, Soweto www.proteagardensmall.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 113
Jet stores The leading retailer.
The largest discount clothing retailer in Southern Africa, Jet is a discount apparel and homeware store created to serve families looking for good quality and affordable merchandise. With more than 494 stores across South Africa, Botswana, -FTPUIP /BNJCJB 4XB[JMBOE BOE ;BNCJB Jet continues to be the retailer of choice among shoppers. It was voted South Africa’s favourite clothing retail brand and has earned the loyalty of more than 1.1 million members. Over the past 35 years – having opened its first store in 1976 – Jet has grown to be more than just a retailer and has earned its stripes, winning over shoppers with its sincere quest to improve the lives of all. In the spirit of ubuntu, Jet has proved to be a pillar of the community as well as a shopping destination. It has rolled out soccer clinics, literacy programmes, food and blanket donations to those in need, and has assisted with the building of houses for the disadvantaged. The most impressive upliftment tool Jet employs, however, is Jet Club magazine. Published ten times a year, it reaches 3.9 million readers – making it Southern Africa’s most-read publication. The secret to the magazine’s success is the easy-to understand advice it offers on love, money management, child-rearing, education, health and important social and civil issues, as well as the reader-friendly articles and snippets on entertainment and celebrities – and the loads of fashion pages that include advice and how-to tips. Jet Club members are treated to regular competitions, discounts and exclusive store events. Jet’s role as a trusted educator, advisor, resource and support, as a corporate deeply invested in the community it serves, has wedged it firmly in the hearts of families across the region.
! 6 !
&2 1 0)%& .' 2(& !&"0
&#. "1(),& 3)- " $./4 .' (&0 #..+
Skinny, straight, ruched or bootleg
YOUR DENIM DESTINATION
333 *&212.0&1 $. 5"
ZOOMING IN ON
GUGU ZUMA ! !
AUTISM A-Z
FOR WOMEN ONLY!
YOUR PULLOUT CALENDAR
Before you move for love
114 |
Best of Soweto
The different types of Jet stores: Jet clothing stores The original Jet stores contain clothing, shoes and accessories. Stores range in size from one to UISFF åPPST $PODFQU TUPSFT BSF DPOUJOVBMMZ CFJOH launched. Jet Mart stores Jet Mart stores offer the same products as Jet – but more. Jet Mart stores stock kitchen and home-living appliances, as well as personal and haircare products and confectionery. There are currently 121 Jet Mart stores nationwide. Contact details: The four Jet stores in Soweto are situated in Jabulani Mall, Maponya Mall, Bara Mall and at the Protea Gardens Centre. There is also a Jet Mart store in Dobsonville. For more information or a full list of stores go to www.jetonline.co.za. For any Jet store queries, contact our toll-free helpline on 0860-113-639 (South Africa), 0800600-616 (Botswana) and 061-225-432 (Namibia).
LEGiT stores
An offshoot of Jet stores, LEGiT is aimed at the female youth market offering on-trend clothing at discount prices. In the same ethos of affordability and accessibility, LEGiT enables young South African women between the ages of 16 and 24 to respond to international trends with confidence: it is their passport to becoming global citizens of style. As they make their way into the world, this niche segment of shoppers rely on LEGiT to bring new and original fashion to them, whether it’s casual daywear or cuttingedge glamour for a night out on the town. Today, LEGiT has a total of 165 stores in operation across South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland. For more information or to find your nearest store, go to www.legit.co.za or contact their toll-free helpline on 0800203-925.
Best of Soweto
| 115
-JCFS FE The concept of MUNKING Around was brought about by three young South Africans, all under the age of thirty, namely: Lizole Joka (founder), Timothy Billings (head of graphics) and Mzukisi Rusi (head of information technologies).
Their dream is to establish a truly South African Company encompassing: r +PC $SFBUJPO r /FUXPSLJOH XJUI PUIFS MJLF NJOEFE companies; r #FJOH IPNPHFOFPVTMZ 4PVUI "GSJDBO JO outlook whilst maintaining a heterogeneous approach; r .BLJOH B QPTJUJWF DPOUSJCVUJPO UPXBSET UIF Gross National Product (GDP); r 4VCTDSJCJOH UP UIF UFOFUT PG /BUJPO Building. Liber8ed is the registered company that will be used as a vehicle to drive the MUNKING Around brand. As the name suggests the aim of the company is to liberate the latent economic potential of all South Africans through a 100% locally manufactured brand that will be marketed internationally. Subsequently, any international company or society that does business with Liber8ed will be assisting in the upliftment of the ideals of self actualisation for South Africans. As a company we will abide with any trade rules and regulations that are already in place between South Africa and any international company. We pride ourselves in the fact that a product crafted in South Africa will have the opportunity of being showcased in the global village thereby putting previously disadvantaged South Africans at the centre stage of the economy. Email: ljoka@liber8ed.co.za Cell: +27 76 902 6215 Website: www.liber8ed.co.za
116 |
Best of Soweto
1BVMJOF T &NCSPJEFSZ DD 1BVMJOF T &NCSPJEFSZ $$ JT BO FTUBCMJTIFE QSJWBUF CMBDL XPNBO PXOFE BOE NBOBHFE clothing manufacturing company.
Founded in 2003 by Paulinah Mlangeni, Pauline’s Embroidery CC specialises in embroidery and clothing including traditional attire, school uniforms, church uniforms, corporate wear, fashion wear, home wear and decor. Since inception as a sole proprietor in 1986, before formal registration in 2003 as a close corporation, the company has built a good reputation of quality services and products. We specialise in: r &NCSPJEFSZ r 4FXJOH r 5SBJOJOH BOE EFWFMPQNFOU r $PSQPSBUF XFBS r 1SPUFDUJWF DMPUIJOH r )PNF XFBS BOE EFDP r $PSQPSBUF HJGUT r #FBEXPSL r "EVMU CBTJD FEVDBUJPO BOE USBJOJOH (NQF1 – GETC) VISION To be a reliable market leader that produces high quality embroidery work and tailor-made clothing manufacturing through cost effective and world class production processes. MISSION STATEMENT We are committed to achieving sustainable growth through the practice of good corporate governance, the provision of customer service, and technologically efficient production processes at the highest safety standards. Our objective and approach is to participate in an environment that promotes a diversified, representative, competitive and healthy clothing manufacturing sector, contributing to economic growth and efficient, affordable
and accessible services. We offer a prompt, efficient, affordable and professional service to our clients. COMPANY VALUES r $VTUPNFS TFSWJDF PSJFOUBUJPO r *OUFHSJUZ r 3FMJBCJMJUZ r "DDPVOUBCJMJUZ r &NQPXFSNFOU Paulinah’s solid clothing manufacturing background gives her the edge to develop the community and empower them. She learned hand embroidery skills as a youth by obtaining her Standard Six in Glen Cowie, Mpumalanga and later started her working career at Potts Embroidery from 1969 to 1985. She was initially employed in hand embroidery, and then promoted to machine operator and supervisor. Paulinah holds various certificates of training and has completed workshops sponsored by various organisations. She was awarded a trip to India by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2006 to learn more about embroidery and attend a workshop on accelerated growth
plan, conducted by then deputy minister in Trade and Industry Ms Elizabeth Thabethe. Pauline’s Embroidery prides itself in playing a role in job creation and poverty alleviation in South Africa. Currently Paulinah is developing groups of women, youth and the disabled in the country by training them to create their own jobs in line with the millennium growth plan of 2014. She does all this with passion. Pauline’s Embroidery has done work for: Jabavu Designs (Embroidery); Peter Printers (Golf Shirts); SABC (Manufactured Shawl with embroidery); Universal Church (Church Uniform); and Nafcoc (Shirts). Paulinah Mlangeni (CEO) Cell Number: +27 82 562 0563 Telephone: +27 11 930 1676 Fax: +27 11 337 5974 Email: paulinahmlangeni@yahoo.com Website: www.Myente.org Number 3134 Diokane Street Central Western Jabavu Kwa Xuma
Best of Soweto
| 117
Who we are Cornerstone project is aimed at empowering disadvantaged and marginalised people of all persuasions, primarily from the African continent. The enterprise was founded in 2009 in Soweto South Africa by Soweto born jeweller Nqobile Nkosi and UK based goldsmith Paul Spurgeon. Their lives were poles apart and yet their hearts and minds met. The coming together of these two people firstly identified the huge need for work and dignity through gainful employment. Secondly the abundance of natural resources within this great continent that for so long had supplied the needs of the worldwide jewellery market and yet had eluded them for various reasons. 1MBOT XFSF NBEF UP JOJUJBUF B USBJOJOH employment programme based on giving individuals the skills, dignity and income to survive the ravages of poverty. Early in 2010 history was made! The first ever jewellery shop was opened in the township of Soweto and Cornerstone was born. “The time is always right to do what is right” Martin Luther King
118 |
Best of Soweto
What we do Cornerstone’s collection of jewellery is based on a coming together of creative ‘hearts and minds’ from the African communities fused XJUI B &VSPQFBO JOá VFODF UIVT HJWJOH PVS pieces a uniqueness and freshness the like of which has not been seen before. Our Artisans will be drawn from far and wide with the express emphasis of giving sustainable life styles to those in challenged circumstances. With the undoubted potential of its people and resources Africa has to engage and compete in the global market. With this in mind the Cornerstone brand has developed a distinct style and edge that has an appeal and relevance to all markets. Wherever possible the materials used will be locally sourced thus eliminating unnecessary import costs and minimising environmental damage. In short the Cornerstone philosophy is “by the people for the people” whilst caring for its environment.
Aims, Aspiration and Ethos Cornerstone aspires to challenge all forms of mediocrity and will be the antithesis of packaging over content. As the organisation EFWFMPQT JO TUSFOHUI BOE JOá VFODF JU XJMM never lose its principles and aims of giving its members a hand up and not a hand out. To this end we invite you to partner with us in this journey and give real opportunity to all those involved. www.cornerstonedesigns.co.za +27 11 982 7048 +27 73 700 6225
“Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.” Nelson Mandela
/LPTJ T $BSQFUT Our expertise is in wall-to-wall carpeting, under-carpet heating, ĂĄPPS SVHT MBNJOBUFE ĂĄPPSJOH m BT XFMM BT SVOOFST BOE CMJOET
Inspired by the number of emerging black owned companies in the field, Nkosi’s Carpets was born in 1997 to a freshly democratic South Africa – with a vision of empowering the community by making this kind of service accessible to them. The pursuit for business excellence means that clientele are served professionally and timeously through above average service. Our services include advising clients on carpets and related products. We endeavour to assist clients when looking to improve their homes and offices and can offer alternative market products, servicing both the private and public sectors. What sets us apart is that we advise clients on cost cutting techniques while we ignite a CMFOE PG DPMPVST PO UIFJS åPPST 0VS FUIPT JT based on engaging the client in their decisionmaking – not merely convincing them. Nkosi’s Carpets is proudly and uniquely Sowetan – contributing to our community schools and old age homes.
1769 Chalker St, Dube, Soweto 1801 P.O. Box 224, Dube Village, Soweto 1800 Tel: +27 11 982-7592 Fax: +27 11 982-6343 E-mail: nkosiscarpets@iburst.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 119
CHAPTER 6 #FBVUZ
120 |
Best of Soweto
122 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 123
124 |
Best of Soweto
Four perfect choices. Perfect Choice has always offered South African women premium haircare products to help give them that extra confidence to stay beautiful. But more than that, Perfect Choice prides itself in empowering its consumers to reach further and achieve their dreams.
So, Perfect Choice ran the “Are you the Perfect Choice?” competition, searching throughout South Africa to find four beautiful, young, dynamic ladies that would represent the Perfect Choice brand.
Thandiswa
Fatima
Teboho
After receiving an overwhelming number of entries. The judges were then faced with choosing the four new faces of Perfect Choice. After much deliberation, Thandiswa Mayekiso age 27, Disebo Ntsolo age 23, Fatima Mogotsi age 22 and Teboho Mtsweni age 23 were chosen from all over the country.
Disebo
Teboho from Pretoria, who previously worked casually at a jewellery store, has since continued to produce excellent work for Perfect Choice as the face of their NEW Avocado Range. Proving to be more than a pretty face, Teboho is determined to pursue a career as a fashion designer and her passion for fashion is what continues to fuel her drive to succeed. She explained how Perfect Choice gave her a step in the right direction as she gets to meet a lot of influential people in both the modelling and fashion industry while learning all the nitty-gritties of both sides. It’s clear that this is only the beginning of the road for this talented beauty.
There is no doubt that the “Are you the Perfect Choice?” competition opened up doors for these stunning ladies, transforming four beautiful, aspirant, young ladies into ambassadors for a wellrecognised, successful brand. Perfect Choice offered these lucky ladies a firm stepping stone towards realising their goals. This shows how Perfect Choice transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, be it hair or women.
Best of Soweto
| 125
/BJM $JUZ o 'BJUI )MPOHXBOF Faith Hlongwane has always been passionate about the beauty industry as well as teaching. She combined the two by opening the first Nail City Accredited Training Facility in Soweto. Faith bought into the Nail City franchise three years ago and has only looked forward since.
Services on offer include manicures, pedicures, massaging, facials and waxing. What sets Nail City apart from other beauty salons is the quality of their products as well as their level of skill. Nail City offers training in beauty with practical and theory courses and an accredited certificate on completion. Faith feels that businesses need to aid growth in their community and so she lays the foundation for others starting in her industry. This nurturing quality has guided Nail City’s personal attention to customer service. Customers range from youth to more mature women as well as men, who travel the distances from all over Soweto to return for Nail City’s exceptional standards. Proudly Sowetan, Faith hopes to expand further by opening more Nail Cities all over Soweto – minimising travelling for her large client base.
Nail City Soweto Address: 27934 Zone 10, 1852 Cell: +27 71 189 7021 Salon: +27 11 988 4564
126 |
Best of Soweto
CHAPTER 7 &EVDBUJPO :PVUI
128 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 129
/FX GBDF PG 4PXFUP $BNQVT VOWFJMFE The community of Soweto, earlier this year, celebrated yet another historic watershed in its development history – the ofďŹ cial rededication of the University of Johannesburg’s new agship campus.
UJ’s Soweto Campus was unveiled by the Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe, on 4 February 2011. Behind the Soweto Campus’ sleek exterior are various venues and facilities resplendent in contemporary design and decor. Immaculately furnished and boasting stateof-the-art equipment, the Campus’ spacious venues combine aesthetics and functionality in perfect harmony. “It is indeed a proud moment for the University of Johannesburg as we unveil and rededicate the revamped campus to the nation, staff and students and members of the Soweto and Johannesburg community,â€? TBJE 6+ T 7JDF $IBODFMMPS 1SPGFTTPS *ISPO Rensburg. “We are confident that this significant investment will consolidate UJ’s footprint in Soweto, and South Africa as a whole, and yield a premier and unique campus of the University of Johannesburg. This has always been our aim and we intend GPS UIF 4PXFUP $BNQVT UP CF PVS ĂĄBHTIJQ campus.â€? The ambitious R450-million development, XIJDI CFHBO PO :PVUI %BZ JO
130 |
Best of Soweto
encapsulates the vision of the University to become an internationally recognised South African university that provides and expands academic and technological knowledge and skills, with the aim of promoting growth and prosperity. Partnerships with industry also form an integral part of the University’s strategic goals. Prof Rensburg acknowledged that this achievement would not have been possible without the ongoing investment by multiple partners – individuals and groups from the University, government and the private sector. “We would like to thank everyone who has supported this ambitious goal by investing time, money, skills and commitment in this project of renewal which has culminated in a landmark intellectual hub that we can all be proud of,� said Prof Rensburg. “University education, intellectual endeavour and world-class educational facilities are not only the preserve of the rich, but of all our citizens, including the poor and marginalised. This is a proud quality of the University of Johannesburg and its founding institutions: that we are determined that this University, like the name that it carries, will
always strive to be diverse, inclusive and cosmopolitan,” continued Rensburg. “This is also why the University of Johannesburg and the government of South Africa have joined hands to build a premier campus in the heart of Soweto. “To the Deputy President of the Republic, we again wish to reiterate our gratitude to the government for its support and investment in UJ. We also acknowledge the significant support that we have received from the Johannesburg Metro,” said Prof Rensburg. “We are keenly aware of our great responsibility to nurture and develop future leaders in the academic, professional and vocational domains and we acknowledge this sacred trust that has been bestowed upon us.” Unveiling the new campus, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe addressed an auditorium filled with first-year UJ students and their parents, as well as guests who included UJ Chancellor Wendy Luhabe, UJ Council Chairman Prof Roy Marcus, Winnie Madikizele-Mandela, Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, “People’s Poet” Don Mattera and Kaizer Chiefs’ player Jackie Masike. “Universities thrive in social milieus that are supportive and interactive at different levels. In the case of Soweto, the one evident benefit of this approach is that it helps ensure that key sites of struggle do not become marginal but central in the cultural, social and economic life of South Africa,” said Motlanthe. “This campus is a sign of the times, and, for that matter, a positive sign indicative of the determination of
South Africans to break new ground in all key aspects of our existence. “Equipped with modern educational facilities, this campus will, I am sure, have a positive impact on the Soweto community and the Gauteng province at large. At a time when all of us are seized with the pivotal task of bringing about economic growth, reconstruction and development in our country, investment in education assumes immeasurable importance.” Motlanthe further pointed out the significance of remembering the old freedom fighters, who are recognised in the names of the Soweto Campus’ new spaces. “We could not be working for this integration of society and social coherence to underpin our national growth and development had it not been for the efforts, sacrifices and vision of some of these people who are today to be honoured by this great university,” he said. Aligned with the University’s commitment to bringing the best the academic world has to offer to all UJ students, another important initiative for the Soweto Campus is the University’s partnership with Harvard University. This partnership involves a three-pronged project which incorporates the Education Leadership Institute, the Principal’s Network and the Leadership Development Programme. The Educational Leadership Institute will become the intellectual home for a network of principals, education officials and academics to engage collectively with the many complex
Best of Soweto
| 131
issues confronting education in our schools across the country and beyond. A premier university made accessible to the Soweto community The vision for UJ’s refurbished Soweto Campus is that it will become the Campus of choice for South African students and will be an engaging facility that will cultivate the rich intellectual and artistic talent that continues to emerge from this extraordinary community. The extensive R450-million redevelopment of this newly revamped campus involved facility improvements, utility upgrades and the installation of high-quality information technology, new student residences, lecture halls, a student centre, law and health clinics, computer laboratories and sports amenities. “The focus for the University is on enhancing academic space, expanding research capacity, providing support systems to assist staff and students to achieve academic goals and improving the quality of student life,” says Soweto Campus Director, Dr Joe Manyaka. This has been translated in the form of primary academic offerings comprising Management, Economic and Financial Sciences, Education and Humanities, with leadership training as part of the core curriculum. Initially, two doctoral, three master’s, one honours and five undergraduate degrees and seven undergraduate diploma programmes will be offered. These programmes will accommodate 7 000 students by 2013. Other important dimensions of the academic and research rejuvenation at the Campus include the relocation of the Faculty of Education and its Centre for Education Practice and the establishment of the Centre for Local
132 |
Best of Soweto
Economic Development. Community engagement and renewal activities of the Campus will be focused on the Maths and Science Centre, the Law Clinic, the Funda UJabule Foundation Phase School and the Centre for Small Business Development. Other developments on the Campus involve the construction of a bigger IT laboratory that will house customer support services, computer training facilities and innovative workspaces with 700 computers, a bigger library, new lecture halls and a legal aid clinic. However, the Campus upgrading does not only focus on the academic aspects of student life. The development includes the building of sports administration offices, a sports clinic, a pavilion, two soccer fields, a cricket oval, four netball courts, an athletics track and a fully equipped gymnasium. Commensurate with UJ’s commitment to its surrounding community, the Soweto Campus development aided local trade and industry by making use of contractors who agreed to utilise Soweto’s developing businesses,
thereby creating work opportunities for the unemployed as well as providing construction skills training for unskilled workers from the Soweto community. The result was evident with R37-million’s worth of construction contracts being awarded to local community businesses. Community outreach of this kind is significant, UJ’s Soweto Campus Director emphasised, because not only does it boost the local economy but it also fosters community engagement. “The direct involvement of the community of Soweto is key to building its own vision for the Soweto Campus. It is really important that we get people talking about, thinking about and getting excited about the developments. This is really the groundwork that will make the Soweto Campus successful in the long run,” says Dr Manyaka. +27 86 100 00UJ www.uj.ac.za
Best of Soweto
| 133
Monash South Africa In 2001 a unique educational institution joined the South African higher education community. Monash South Africa is the youngest of the Monash campuses and reflects the international footprint of Monash University on the African continent. Monash South Africa aims to play a part in helping the region meet its diverse, economic and educational needs and as part of the Monash University network, Monash South Africa is committed to quality in the three core functions of teaching, learning, research and community engagement that Monash University is well known for. The modern, attractive South African campus is situated on a secure 100-hectare site in Ruimsig, north-west of central Johannesburg. Impressive and advanced teaching facilities include high-tech lecture theatres and tutorial rooms, a library with access to the fully digitised Monash periodical and serials collection, and computer labs with cutting edge PCs. The largest lecture theatre seats 350 students in comfort and small tutorial groups ensure personalised teaching. Monash South Africa offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees within four schools - the School of Social Sciences, the School of Business and Economics, the School of Information Technology and the School of Health Sciences - as well as a Foundation Program, suited to students seeking a different path into university study. Our students receive a well-rounded education and have the opportunity to
134 |
Best of Soweto
meet and interact with citizens from all over Africa and the world. They use the knowledge and skills they acquire at Monash South Africa to contribute to the communities and the world in which they live. We have an active student volunteer program and participate in research and social programs that have a direct positive impact on the region, the country and the continent. In a recent study published in The New York Times (20 October 2011), more than 200 CEO’s from the world’s most successful companies rated Monash in the top fifty of world universities from which to hire graduates. A Monash education prepares graduates who are ready to lead and perform at an international level. By leveraging our global network and providing experiences that give our graduates a broader, richer perspective; we help them become perfect candidates for any business looking to thrive in a global market. The Water Research Node at Monash South Africa is undertaking groundbreaking research. The study of water harvesting in informal settlements is currently underway, made possible by professional staff and dedicated students who are experts in their fields. The Node aims to address some of the key water resource management challenges of contemporary Africa through research, education and community engagement.
Mona sits in of wo
ash n the orld
Monash is a university that judges its research not only by its academic excellence, but by the impact it has throughout the world. Professors Alan Trounson and Carl Wood achieved the world’s first successful IVF pregnancy in 1973. 12 out of the first fifteen IVF babies are Monash babies. Monash research continues to make an impact in reproductive science as the treatment becomes more accessible worldwide.
A team from the faculty of Science is leading a project that developed a way to stop the spread of dengue fever by making mosquitoes immune to the disease.
Best of Soweto
| 135
The school of Information Technology is currently working to design systems that will give regional and marginal communities access to information technology without the need for expensive infrastructure. They are currently expanding on the idea of turning mobile phones into virtual networks and creating an e-post box in communities. Monash South Africa is also the professional home of the founder of the YPIA (Young People in International Affairs), Dr Scott Firsing. YPIA is an organisation for the youth by the youth. It consists of over 50 volunteers and hundreds of members from throughout Africa and the world. Its overall goal is to help the African youth interested in international affairs through networking and by providing them a platform to have their voices heard. The Monash Africa Centre, is a ground breaking platform and space for intellectuals and leading practitioners to advance their intellectual work. The centre offers a setting for various debates and
136 |
Best of Soweto
dialogues on contemporary social, political, economic and development issues in and about Africa whilst encouraging scholars and practitioners to become “architects of change� in the current phase of African development and transformation. It further offers diverse opportunities for intellectuals and practitioners to enhance their current and future skills and capacity through a diverse range of short courses. The Monash Africa Centre will over time be recognised as one of the premier think tanks and a leading provider for short courses on the African continent. Monash South Africa 144 Peter Road Ruimsig, South Africa Tel: +27 11 950 4000 www.monash.ac.za
The world’s top CEOs are more likely to hire Monash graduates The New York Times, 20 October 2011
Best of Soweto
| 137
4PVUI 8FTU (BVUFOH $PMMFHF South West Gauteng College is a public Further Education and Training institution operating under the auspices of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) in terms of the Further Education and Training College Act, Act No. 16 of 2006.
The college is accredited by Umalusi and several Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) to offer education and training, mostly in the FET band (NQF level 2 to 4). Some programmes are offered in the Higher Education band i.e. the N4 to N6 level. With its head office located at Molapo, Soweto and campuses spread throughout Soweto (3) to Roodepoort (2) and Randburg (1), the college is a real citadel of education and training for communities in its wide catchment area and beyond. With the distance learning and new E-Learning mode, driven through the Technisa Campus in Randburg it is no exaggeration to say, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we now surface everywhere!â&#x20AC;? National CertiďŹ cate (Vocational) Curriculum Starting from 2007, the public FET colleges have been offering a new three-year Further Education and Training curriculum, which culminates in the awarding of the National $FSUJĂ DBUF 7PDBUJPOBM </$ 7 > UP MFBSOFST This qualification is opening two doors to the successful learners. Since their education will have had a deliberate vocational slant, UIF TUVEFOUT DPNQMFUJOH UIF /$ 7 -FWFM qualification are able to enter the job market. 5IF Ă STU DPIPSU PG /$ 7 HSBEVBUFT DBNF PVU at the end of 2009 and was received well by economy. Access to Higher Education 5IF -FWFM /$ 7 HSBEVBUFT XJMM BMTP CF able to proceed to Higher Education and pursue some post-NQF Level 4 education at universities or universities of technology, depending on their results in Level 4. If they choose this route, they do so on a very
138 |
Best of Soweto
strong technical foundation, which they have obtained from their three years at the College. The entry requirements for Higher Education GPS TUVEFOUT XIP IBWF DPNQMFUFE /$ 7 Level 4 qualifications can be obtained from the collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Support and Marketing offices. The important thing is that if one wants to follow a vocational direction, either in Engineering Studies, Business Studies ,or Utilities Studies, one does not need to stay at school until one has passed Grade 12, since colleges are offering a three-year vocational qualification. To enroll for this qualification, one only needs to have passed the minimum of Grade 10, but the qualification is more suitable for learners with a higher school grade, e.g. Grade 11 or even Grade 12! Preparation for the World of Work The qualification will give learners vocational training culminating in an NQF Level 4 qualification, which will open doors to the world of work for them. Learners are not able UP FOUFS UIJT /BUJPOBM $FSUJĂ DBUF 7PDBUJPOBM at Level 3 or Level 4, even if they have passed Grade 11 or 12 at school. They have to start this qualification at Level 2, and continue with it for three years, until they complete the NQF -FWFM /$ 7 RVBMJĂ DBUJPO XIJDI JT XIFSF UIFZ XJMM CF BXBSEFE UIF /$ 7 DFSUJĂ DBUF NC(V) Bursaries The Department of Education has also made millions of rands available for bursaries. Any /$ 7 MFBSOFS NBZ BQQMZ GPS B CVSTBSZ TVCKFDU to a means test. The means test determines if a learner is needy and therefore qualifies for assistance in the form of a bursary. The bursary does not only consider economic need, it also factors in the learnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholastic
academic capability. So, good performance (results), after enrolment, guarantees continuation of the bursary until completion. Lately, the bursaries are also available to TUVEFOUT SFHJTUFSFE GPS / DPVSTFT /"5&% Report 191 courses). Return Of Nated Courses The drastic skills shortage in the economy has resulted in the Department allowing college to continue enrolling students in the / DPVSTFT 3FQPSU /"5&% DPVSTFT JO Engineering, from N1-N6 and N4 to N6 in Business Studies and Utilities Studies. This arrangement is not intended to dissuade TUVEFOUT GSPN /$ 7 UP / DPVSTFT FWFO though the N-courses, appear shorter UIBO UIF /$ 7 PO UIF TVSGBDF 1SPTQFDUJWF TUVEFOUT NVTU OPUF UIBU XIFSFBT /$ 7 JT B complete qualification, incorporating practical learning, the N-courses require a student UP TUJMM EP QSBDUJDBM FYQFSJFOUJBM MFBSOJOH JO some workplace, after completing N6 to be awarded a full qualification in the form of a diploma. The Departmental bursaries also cover N-courses for needy and academically capable students. It is a condition of the bursary that recipients commit to their studies and attend their lectures and classes regularly. Work hard and make our Top Ten Students lists college-wide and possibly join a fully sponsored study excursion to our partner college in Holland! Come join us!
Tel: +27 86 176 8849 Fax: +27 11 984 1262 Email: headofďŹ ce@swgc.co.za
*LBHFOH *UJSFMFOH "JET .JOJTUSZ It takes a village to raise a child.
Ikageng is an NGO, founded by Carol Dyantyi in 2003 when she started caring for two children in her neighbourhood who had lost UIFJS QBSFOUT UP )*7 "*%4 &YQFSJFODJOH UIF disbelief of living with a community that shuns children because of their status and suffering. When more children came to her for help, she started urging companies for assistance in caring for children in deep need of help. The project, Ikageng Itireleng, is a community outreach project which currently serves more UIBO 0SQIBOFE BOE 7VMOFSBCMF $IJMESFO 07$ 5IF OVNCFS PG PSQIBOT DBSFE GPS has increased rapidly since 2004. Most of the children have been witnessed as ChildHeaded Households (CHH) of which one child in an average of six children per household is forced by circumstances to meet the needs of the younger siblings or assume the role of a parent. Others have either a terminally ill parent or no parents at all while some survive with their grandparents who hardly have enough on their social grants to maintain the numerous needs of their grandparents. What is Ikageng about? Ikageng Itireleng literally means â&#x20AC;&#x153;build yourself, do it for yourselfâ&#x20AC;? in Setswana, one of the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa. Ikageng is unique because it ensures that children are taken care of in the environment they grew up in instead of institutionalising them, thus providing a circle of support that includes home-based care giving which ensures sibling solidarity, with the help of 20
140 |
Best of Soweto
EFEJDBUFE TUBGG NFNCFST BOE 7PMVOUFFST Theoretically there are several options for UIF DSJTJT PG "GSJDB T PSQIBOT :FU UIF POMZ large-scale viable option that is most costeffective is the community-based care model. This typically means that either extended family members or other voluntary caregivers already within the community takes the child in and provides care. For reasons of culture and tradition, and to spread limited financial support as far as possible, this is the model
Current activities: r 1SPWJEFT GPS UIF CBTJD OFFET PG 07$ households. These needs include food, clothing, water, electricity, school fees and Education supplies, health and transport. r 1SPWJEFT TVQQPSU NFOUPSJOH MJGF TLJMMT advice and counseling through a network of caregivers and professional supporters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most of them voluntary. r 0SHBOJTFT BOE GBDJMJUBUFT B WBSJFUZ PG events to help in the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holistic development. r 3BJTFT GVOET UP IFMQ NFFU CBTJD OFFET r 1SPWJEFT MPWF JO B IBSTI FOWJSPONFOU r )BT TUBSUFE B SBOHF PG QSPHSBNNFT GPS better development of children and their households. Needs list:
that serves as the philosophical starting point for providing real aid to Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orphans. Even with strong support from NGOs and other community members, in the real world of poverty, disease, stigma and a disintegrating social fabric that the AIDS pandemic creates, the holistic capacity that Ikageng gives is a comprehensive response to the orphan crisis in Soweto. Objectives, vision and activities Ikageng exists to offer holistic care and QSPWJTJPO GPS UIF CBTJD OFFET PG 07$ T XJUI psychosocial, educational and nutritional support. It is the experience of Ikageng that 07$ T BSF TUVDL JO B QPWFSUZ USBQ BT B SFTVMU of the loss of their parents and the inability to receive support from their relatives . The programme experiences enormous challenges trying to meet requests for food, transportation expenses, school fees etc., which results in the organisation having non-stable essential resources for their basic provision of enough resources that goes into looking after their psychosocial needs on a grand scale.
Ikageng depends solely on charity, donations and sponsorships received from the community. r 'PPE EPOBUJPOT r 5SBOTQPSU UP TDIPPMT BOE DMJOJDT r 4DIPPM GFFT r 4DIPPM VOJGPSNT r 4DIPPM CPPLT TUBUJPOFSZ BOE TVQQMJFT r $MPUIJOH BOE CMBOLFUT r 'VSOJUVSF TVDI BT GSJEHFT CFET BOE TUPWFT r &NPUJPOBM TVQQPSU r 4PDJBM BDUJWJUJFT UP CF BSSBOHFE GPS UIF children r 7PMVOUFFS TVQQPSU r 4LJMMT EFWFMPQNFOU QSPHSBNNFT r 5PJMFUSZ TVQQMJFT r .FEJDBM TVQQMJFT Ikagengâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current expenses include: r 0GÃ DF r 1FSTPOOFM WPMVOUFFST r $PNQVUFST r 'BY NBDIJOF r 1IPUPDPQZ NBDIJOF r 5FMFQIPOF r 3FOUBM GFF r 1BQFS BOE TUBUJPOFSZ r 'VOFSBM GVOEJOH r *OTVSBODF 8299 Cnr. Sisulu/Mahalefele Road, Department of Social Services (Peoples Centre), Orlando West Tel: +27 11 536 2278 Email: info@ikageng.org.za www.ikageng.org.za
Best of Soweto
| 141
CHAPTER 8 5SBOTQPSU
142 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 143
165$0 -JNJUFE A member of the Larimar Group, PUTCO turned 65 earlier this year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; making it one of the most distinguished bus companies operating in South Africa today. Since its establishment in 1945, PUTCO has towered above the rest in the industry with their notably stylish commuter buses and luxury coaches.
Operation PUTCO operates 2000 buses, transporting more than 230 000 passengers daily in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo â&#x20AC;&#x201C; travelling over 90 million km per annum. PUTCO has Joint ventures with emerging bus operators (Lekoa Transport Trust, Ipelegeng Transport Trust and Asibemonye Transport Trust). With a strong established brand, we have begun bus operation in Mozambique with the creation of Putco Mozambiqua Limitada, operating buses from Maputo to Xai-xai, Inyambane, Chokwe and Masinga.
principles include integrity, transparency and accountability of the directors to all stakeholders.
Corporate governance The directors of PUTCO deem corporate governance to be vitally important and are unreservedly committed to applying the principles necessary to ensure that good corporate governance is practiced. These
The transaction addresses all key elements of the Code of Good Practice, namely: Ownership, Management, Employment Equity, Skills Development, Procurement, Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development.
144 |
Best of Soweto
Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment PUTCO Ltd. employs more than 5000 employees and supports the Government Black Economic Empowerment Strategy that outlines the transformation imperatives for our economy. Our Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) transaction launched in September 2006 is based on the BEE Code of Good Practice.
PUTCO Board of Directors The Board has been restructured in line with the BEE scheme and BEE Code of Good Practice. The new Board comprises of 50% black directors, 30% of which are black female. PUTCO Executive Management Nearly 40% of PUTCO top management posts are held by black executives and 60% of Putco depot managers are black. PUTCO obtained 71, 30% on the 2009 Generic BEE Score Card. Commuter buses PUTCO has recently introduced new Euro 3JEFS *WFDP CVTFT JOUP JUT ĂĄFFU m XIJDI QSJEFT our passengers. Euro Rider Iveco features: r 5IF CPEZ JODPSQPSBUFT AQPQ JO TMJEF m when closed gives effect that bonded
PUTCO Limited in Time Perspective
windows are one piece â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the first of its kind in South Africa. r 5IF SPPG TUSVDUVSF JT B POF QJFDF Ã CSFHMBTT r 5IF QBTTFOHFS EPPS IBT B TJOHMF CPOEFE glass panel per door with an â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;in-swingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. r 6OJRVF GSPOU BOE SFBS TVC BTTFNCMZ structure compares well with world class standards. Luxury buses PUTCO has ventured into the tourism market with the introduction of Five Star Luxury Coaches: r TFBUFST r SFDMJOFS TFBUT r POCPBSE FOUFSUBJONFOU BOE QVCMJD BEESFTT system; r UXP 57 NPOJUPST r LJUDIFOFUUF r CBS GSJEHF r POCPBSE BTTJTUBODF r DMJNBUJD DPOUSPMMFE BJS DPOEJUJPOJOH BOE heating system; r ESJWFS SFTUJOH BSFB PUTCO Corporate Social Investment Through the PUTCO CSI Foundation, funds, grants, donations and assets are provided to deserving projects in areas in which PUTCO operates. The PUTCO CSI Foundation invests in projects aimed at improving social, environmental and human rights conditions in communities. It focuses on areas that address education and skills development, job creation, poverty relief, sports and recreational programmes.
1945: Public Utility Transport Corporation founded by Jack Bird Barregar and listed on JSE with issued share capital of 810 000. 1949: PUTCO placed under Judicial Management. 1952: Capital of company restructured and company taken out of Judicial Management. 1953: PUTCO pioneers aptitude tests for applicant drivers. 1954: Introduction of advertising space on the sides of the buses. 1957: PUTCOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s increase of fares by one penny to meet commitments results in famous penny strike lasting three months. 1959: PUTCO expands into Durban. 1961: Leyland Motor Corporation acquires a controlling interest in the company. 1962: PUTCO acquires Edenvale Bus Service from the Carleo. 1968: Carleo sells remaining bus operations to PUTCO â&#x20AC;&#x201C; includes Rand Bus Lines and Evaton Passenger Services. 1971: Carleo Enterprises acquires 51, 6% of PUTCO. 1972: PUTCO formally changes its name from Public Utility Transport Corporation to PUTCO Limited. 1973: Albino Carleo takes over driving seat as Managing Director of PUTCO. 1978: PUTCO acquires African Bus Service from United Transport in bitter corporate battle. 1982: The PUTCO Foundation formed to assist social upliftment of communities PUTCO serves. 165$0 T áFFU QFBLT BU CVTFT USBWFMMJOH NJMMJPO LN B ZFBS DBSSZJOH million passengers a year. 1986: Mrs. Marina Maponya the first black person to be appointed as a Director of the company. %JTBTUSPVT JNQBDU PG UIF UBYJ JOEVTUSZ BOE 165$0 T áFFU SFEVDFT UP carrying 120 million passengers a year. 1BTTFOHFST ESPQ UP NJMMJPO BOE áFFU UP 1SPà UT JODSFBTF TJHOJà DBOUMZ UP R17, 6 million. 1997: PUTCO withdraws from Durban after suffering considerable losses in that region. 165$0 T à STU KPJOU WFOUVSF PQFSBUJPO XJUI B CMBDL QBSUOFS 7BMVBEFS 1UZ -JNJUFE 7BBM m UIF à STU PG B OVNCFS PG KPJOU WFOUVSFT -FLPB 5SBOTQPSU 5SVTU FTUBCMJTIFE 1999: Ipelegeng Transport Trust established. 2002: Nathi Khena becomes first black Managing Director of the company. Asibemunye Transport Trust established. 2002: PUTCO manufactures special access buses designed in consultation with organisations for people with disabilities. 2004: Mr. Albino Carleo and a number of the board retire after serving many years and new board structured with Franco Pisapia, a nephew of Albino Carleo, as Managing Director. 2005: After being listed on the JSE Securities Exchange for sixty years PUTCO delists to enable empowerment partnerships. 2006: Important milestone in history of transport industry as PUTCO completes a Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) scheme, empowering more than 3300 employees. 2010: PUTCO wins FOCUS on Excellence Award in the category of Best Bus Operator.
Some of the organisations and institutions which benefited from the PUTCO CSI Foundation are: r 404 $IJMESFO T 7JMMBHF JO &OOFSEBMF r *OWFTUNFOU PG WFIJDMFT UP UIF 3PBE Safety initiative in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Cullinan; r )PTQJDFT JO 4PXFUP .BNFMPEJ BOE Soshanguve; r $PNNVOJUZ JOJUJBUJWFT JO 5TIXBOF .QVNBMBOHB BOE 7BBM BSFB r 4"'" 4PXFUP VOEFS 4PDDFS Tournament;
Best of Soweto
| 145
r ) " +BDL 1SJNBSZ 4DIPPM r #VSTBSJFT XFSF QSPWJEFE UP TUVEFOUT BU institutions such as: r .FEVOTB r 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 1SFUPSJB r 5TIXBOF 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 5FDIOPMPHZ r 7BBM 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 5FDIOPMPHZ r 6OJWFSTJUZ PG +PIBOOFTCVSH r 4UBS 4DIPPM .BUSJD SFXSJUF QSPHSBNNF BU Wits. Bus Safety Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Safer Driving Techniques PUTCO developed a bus safety programme to help contribute to the alleviation of accidents on our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roads and is reviewed on a regular basis to assess efficiency. We have also introduced a major refresher programme of intervention which rehabilitates drivers involved in accidents. The emphasis
146 |
Best of Soweto
is on safer driving techniques and is competency-based training. We are recalling all drivers every two years for reassessment and retraining. Senior drivers are also called upon to mentor new drivers. To increase our safety standards we provide ongoing training to our current instructors and are investigating the possibility of using independent assessors of new drivers before they are confirmed, as well as increasing the driving probation time from six to eight weeks. Every bus driver must perform a pre-trip and post-trip inspection on the bus to check that the vehicle is in good condition and report any defect on the bus. An external visual inspection is performed by the security and workshop personnel at the gate on every entry and exit at the depot. This checklist
inspection covers bus tyres and includes checks such as fire extinguishers and SFĂĄFDUPS USJBOHMFT "OZ EBNBHF PS QSPCMFN JT reported to the workshop to be rectified. Preventative Maintenance Programme We follow a scientifically designed preventative maintenance programme where vehicles go through a range of different inspections and services based on set frequencies (time or kilometres). Buses are washed and refuelled daily. Oil-water-tyre checks are conducted and defects reported for repair in the Running Repair Section of each workshop prior to busesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shift departure. NB: No bus with critical safety defect is allowed to operate. Inspections and Services: A-Service: weekly safety inspection on all PUTCO buses r BMM DSJUJDBM TBGFUZ DPNQPOFOUT DIFDLFE
r EPOF BDDPSEJOH UP B QPJOU DIFDLMJTU r PO DPNQMFUJPO CVT DIFDLFE CZ JOTQFDUPS and signed off by foreman and Technical Manager. r CSBLF UFTU XIFSF UIF CSBLJOH DBQBDJUZ PG the bus is checked.
r EPOF BDDPSEJOH UP B QSF EFÃ OFE QPJOU checklist completed and signed off by B 7FIJDMF *OTQFDUPS B GPSFNBO BOE UIF Technical Manager; r BOZ DPNQPOFOU GPVOE PVU PG PSEFS JT immediately replaced or repaired before bus can operate. B- Service: after 10 000km r BQQSPYJNBUFMZ POF EBZ UP DPNQMFUF EPOF according to 117 point checklist; r PO DPNQMFUJPO CVT DIFDLFE CZ JOTQFDUPS and signed off by foreman and Technical Manager; r JOUFS BMJB DIBOHJOH PG MVCSJDBOUT Ã MUFST BOE close inspection and repair of mechanical, electrical and body components; r CSBLF UFTU XIFSF UIF CSBLJOH DBQBDJUZ PG the bus is checked. C- Service: after 60 000km r NBKPS TFSWJDF DPNQMFUFE JO UXP EBZT
D- Service: after 120 000km r NBKPS TFSWJDF DPNQMFUFE JO UISFF EBZT r JODMVEFT B # 4FSWJDF BOE $ 4FSWJDF QMVT replacement of certain B-units; r EPOF BDDPSEJOH UP B QPJOU DIFDLMJTU r PO DPNQMFUJPO CVT DIFDLFE CZ JOTQFDUPS and signed off by foreman and Technical Manager. r CSBLF UFTU XIFSF UIF CSBLJOH DBQBDJUZ PG the bus is checked. Driver of the Year Competition Initiated by the Department of Transport as part of the Arrive Alive Campaign, the competition is aimed at developing skilled safety conscious drivers who help reduce accidents on our roads. PUTCO drivers participate annually with the following successes: 2006: Jacob Semelane came 2nd in the /BUJPOBM %SJWFS PG UIF :FBS $PNQFUJUJPO BOE represented South Africa in the International %SJWFS PG UIF :FBS $PNQFUJUJPO 2008: Margaret Sibiya came 3rd in Best Female Driver in South Africa and was handed a R5000 cheque by Mr Jeff Radebe (former Minister of Transport). Daniel Ntimene came 1st in the male category in the Gauteng 1SPWJODJBM %SJWFS PG UIF :FBS $PNQFUJUJPO m
crowned overall winner in the province with his score exceeding all others in the following FJHIU DBUFHPSJFT #VT NBMF GFNBMF 3JHJE USVDL 'PVS XIFFM USVDL USBJMFS "SUJDVMBUFE truck, Novice under 24 years and 3.5 Tonner truck. Annual FOCUS Awards PUTCO Limited was voted the best commuter bus operator in South Africa at the 2010 FOCUS Transport and Logistics Awards. Vision To grow and develop into the leading transport company in South Africa Brand promise 165$0 :PVS 5SBOTQPSU 'SJFOE www.putco.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 147
CHAPTER 9 .FEJDBM )FBMUIDBSF
Prior to South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s democracy, few hospitals existed where black doctors and specialists could practice and local communities could receive private healthcare. 148 |
Best of Soweto
)JHI RVBMJUZ QSJWBUF IFBMUIDBSF BU UIF IFBSU PG UIF DPNNVOJUZ
Best of Soweto
| 149
Empowered by Excellence. Every day. Every way. Clinix Health Group has grown from strength to strength since opening the first black owned private hospital in 1992 in Soweto. The group now owns and manages 8 private hospitals.
150 |
Best of Soweto
Committed to delivering quality healthcare at the heart of the communities we serve, Clinix Health Group’s private hospitals operate at high standards, offering outstanding patient care. Proudly ‘of, for and by the community’ Clinix Health Group not only employs 90% of our staff from the surrounding communities, we also source products and services from local enterprises, promoting economic growth and development. Furthermore, we invest millions each year in healthorientated community-based CSI initiatives, demonstrating our commitment to community upliftment. Managed by Clinix Heath Group since 1994, Lesedi Private Hospital, which means ‘leading light’ opened in 1985 at the height of apartheid. Today, it is one of Soweto’s great success stories. Conveniently located in Diepkloof Soweto, Lesedi has earned a welldeserved reputation for quality patient care and comfort and fostering the well-being of the communities it serves. Renovated and upgraded over the years, Lesedi Private Hospital’s facilities include Operating Theatres, a fully equipped Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal ICU, a 24 Hour Accident and Emergency Department,
Best of Soweto
| 151
152 |
Best of Soweto
multi-disciplinary Psychiatric Unit and On-site Pharmacy. Considered a centre of maternity and antenatal excellence with one of the most respected Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Johannesburg, and a well-equipped Mother & Baby Clinic that provides Antenatal and Postnatal Classes, Immunizations as a well as 4D scans, newborn hearing tests ad family planning. Lesedi Private Hospital also has a large group of specialists, on-site surgeons and medical practitioners who provide everything from neurosurgery to psychiatry, physiotherapy and ophthalmology, radiology and pathology departments. Clinix Health Group opened Clinix TshepoThemba Private Hospital in 1995. This momentous occasion was marked with an unveiling ceremony by the late Mr. Walter Sisulu and Mr. M.B. Mofokeng â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Vice Chairperson, Bonitas Medical Fund. Conveniently located in Dobsonville, Soweto, Clinix Tshepo-Themba Private Hospital has been healing the surrounding communities. Staffed with highly qualified doctors and nurses, Clinix Tshepo-Themba Private Hospital is committed to delivering service excellence; ensuring patients are always comfortable and well taken care of. The recipient of a ROCCI Business Innovation Success Award and CANSA Award, Clinix Tshepo-Themba Private Hospital combines smart practices and professionalism with a caring empathetic approach. The hospitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well-equipped facilities include 3 Operating Theatres, 24-hour Casualty, ICU and Neonatal ICU. There is also
an Antenatal, Immunisation Clinic that offers all the support and care a mother to be or new mother could need including 4D scans and hearing tests for newborns. In addition to the general medical services offered, Clinix Tshepo-Themba Private Hospital has a large group of on-site specialists and practitioners who provide surgery as well as everything from dentistry and ophthalmology to support services such as occupational therapy, speech and hearing therapy and physiotherapy. The hospital also has radiology and pathology departments, as well as an on-site pharmacy and wound care clinic. Soweto holds a special place in the
heart of millions of South Africans. Clinix Health Group is proud to be a part of the development and progress of this historical landmark. A leader in empowered health care, Clinix Health Group believes their hospitals are empowered by highly trained, caring and dedicated nurses and doctors who work tirelessly to ensure our patients receive the best medical care. Empowered by exceptional facilities, best care practices and a commitment to quality. Empowered by Excellence. Every day. Every way.
www.clinix.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 153
CHAPTER 10 Media & Marketing
154 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 155
Community Media in Soweto Community Media provides a voice for the underprivileged, where communities can openly discuss their concerns as well as access news and practical information. Community media includes radio, newspapers, and television.
156 |
Best of Soweto
Communications can help boost development and democracy in communities. Soweto’s turbulent history has created a culture of a thirst for non-biased and accessible news. The media was freed from its apartheid shackles when democracy washed over the country in 1994. Sowetans are proud of their free, fair and opinionated media.
which was de-registered by the apartheid government. Sowetan is owned by Johnnic Communications.
also started road shows in Soweto to open free e-mail accounts and educate the general public on how to use e-mail.
www.sowetanlive.co.za
www.sowetointernetradio.com
Daily Sun Daly Sun was South Africa’s first tabloid aimed at the urban black working class – the economic core of South Africa. Its huge sales, coupled with the reading culture it’s created with millions of South Africans, have earned it great respect. Since its launch by Media24, the Daily Sun has become South Africa’s largest daily newspaper. With over 374,400 sales in Gauteng, Limpopo Province, Mpumalanga and Northwest Province, the national expansion of the paper to KwaZuluNatal, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape will increase circulation.
Jozi FM Jozi FM is a local radio station that started in 1995 as Soweto Community Radio. In 1999 – 2000, Soweto Community Radio and Buwa Radio merged to form Jozi FM. As the largest community radio station in South Africa, Jozi FM broadcasts in several languages including isiZulu, isiXhosa, English, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana and Xhintsonga. The station’s radio format is 50 percent music and 50 percent discussion. Based in Soweto, Jozi FM covers regions all across Gauteng. Jozi FM is the first community radio station to be listed on the DStv’s audio bouquet. Jozi FM attributes its success to the relationship it has with its audience. The radio station is a voice for the surrounding communities and focuses on delivering on the demands of its listeners.
Soweto TV Soweto TV is a South African community television channel broadcasting in Soweto. The channel is also broadcast to South African subscribers to the DStv pay TV service on channel 150. It provides a network station for South Africa’s only networked program, KMT (Kasi Music Television). It also networks Aljazeera programming. It was the first ever community television channel in South Africa. It also rebroadcasts a lot of programming from DStv from Supersport’s local programming as well as from One Gospel.
www.media24.com
www.jozifm.co.za
The Sowetan This English language newspaper was started in 1981 as a liberation struggle newspaper and was freely distributed to households in Soweto. The editorial tone is left-wing, usually strongly favourable to the ruling African National Congress, and in 2006 carried a readership of 1.6 million and a circulation of 124 000. Initially distributed as a weekly free sheet in Soweto, the paper was transformed into a daily in 1981 to fill the void left by the Post,
Soweto Internet Radio Their vision is to put Soweto in the forefront of the digital village and their mission for day to day operations is to remain under the guidance of the development of an innovative Soweto digital experience. Social Development plays a huge role in Soweto Internet Radio, as they have created a free e-mail account platform that allows anyone in the world to open and use an e-mail account. To help new e-mail users, they have compiled a brochure on how to use e-mail. They have
www.sowetotv.co.za Uzwano Media Uzwano Media is an emerging outdoor brand promotion company which has been operating for over five years. They have a strong Corporate Social Investment orientation. The company consists of professionals with long service records in radio, promotions and outdoor. Uzwano Media owns 90% of the equipment utilised by its services i.e. moving billboards, promotion cycles and street pole poster boards etc. Their passion is evident in their delivery and the quality of implementation to all their projects or campaigns. www.uzwanomedia.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 157
Daily Sun The name means so much to millions of South Africans.
Daily Sun is aimed predominantly at the black emerging market known as LSM 4-7 and operates on the concept that it IS the paper for the people. Written in an easily understood format and touching on issues that affect people’s lives, the newspaper is just 10 years old, but is SA’s largest daily read, ahead of its competitors in sales and in readership by almost three times. The brainchild of the late, legendary Deon du Plessis, who left Independent Newspapers to find an investor for the newspaper that he believed would change the media landscape in South Africa for good, and would also give a voice to the previously voiceless, the paper was launched by the Media24 group in 2002. The paper was widely expected to fail in its first year. But, as du Plessis had predicted, the emerging market – affectionately referred to as “The man in the blue overall” by the Daily Sun team – took everyone by surprise. It grew to an audience in excess of 5 million daily readers in just 5 years, not only thwarting media expectations but outpacing other publications by miles. Originally available in Gauteng only, Daily Sun is now available nationwide and has regional offices in Western Cape, KwaZuluNatal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape with its
158 |
Best of Soweto
head office at Media Park in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. The paperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roaring success has also sparked a massive interest in tabloid journalism and tabloid publications, giving rise to a multitude of new tabloid titles being launched around the country. Even with this newfound competition, however, Daily Sun readership remains rock steady. Born with little or nothing to call their own into a highly traditional, broadsheet environment, the emerging market is a tough one for university graduates to grasp. Daily Sun readers are progressive in their outlook, open to new experiences and
Best of Soweto
| 159
eager to explore the opportunities the new social, political and economic environment post-1994 offers them. They are the major beneficiaries of change in this country. Their living conditions and general standard of living changed almost overnight as access to housing, electricity, running water, job opportunities and minimum wages came sweeping through under a new democratic government. Daily Sun readers thrive under these conditions and they will typically take advantage of these opportunities in order to improve their general wellbeing.
160 |
Best of Soweto
Their interests lie in building a better future for themselves and their children, in the day-today troubles of living in informal settlements and RDP housing, and in the oft-maligned world of zangoma and inyanga. In its 10 years of publication, Daily Sun has done a masterful job of speaking to its audience. It has pioneered the art of Plain English, of writing personal stories about ordinary people. After all, Maria Tshabalalaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s run-in with an evil zangoma means a lot more to the emerging market than some obscure politicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion on international policy. The paper cares about what it has dubbed People
Politics – RDP housing, the villainous cable thieves known as izinyoka, service delivery and education. It’s not all just about sewage in the front garden. Daily Sun brings the emerging market and the news that matters to the people, but it also provides a source of education to a group of South Africans who are the by-products of a disadvantaged schooling system. It has an extensive self-help section, empowering readers to learn the life lessons their parents and their teachers may not have taught them. After all, education is not just what a child learns at school – it’s about expanding his or her general knowledge. It’s why every day sees an edition of ‘The World in Your Sun’ – where a few choice articles from news around the world are printed, the Wow! page published in conjunction with National Geographic every Monday, Tuesday and Friday which features short articles on interesting facts on subjects from baboons to Bugatti, advice on how to eat with chopsticks, how to lay a table for dinner, how to save money or budget for the new year – and so on.
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of Daily Sun is its appeal to established markets. Its bold and eye-catching lamppost billboards have drawn a much wider audience than anticipated. Daily Sun even enjoys a suburban readership and hardly a day goes by that one of its headlines is not a topic of conversation around the water cooler or on national radio. “Have you seen today’s Daily Sun headline?” has become a greeting as common as “Howzit?” among South Africans.
The paper for the people – now joined by its Sunday brother, Sunday Sun, has dominated the South African media landscape for some years now and intends to continue along that path into the future and beyond.
For information on how to advertise in the paper, please call +27 11 877 6016 or +27 11 259 1700
Best of Soweto
| 161
Soweto Internet Radio “Heita, Holla, Hoezit, Sharp” greets Zanecebo Mchunu in Tsotsi-Taal, the founder and chief visionary officer of Soweto Internet Radio, a social digital media network with the vision to put Soweto in the forefront of the digital village. Since February 2010 our website www.sowetointernetradio.com has received well over 1 million page views from online visitors globally who are listening to Soweto Internet Radio, watching Soweto Internet TV, leaving tweets on Soweto Online Tweetz, chatting with friends on Soweto Online Friends, doing international studies for free on Soweto Collegiate Independent Study, improving college studies on Soweto Student Zone, searching for online jobs on Soweto Career Zone, viewing Soweto in pictures through Soweto Online Gallery, buying Sowetan products on Buy 100% Soweto, taking a virtual tour on Soweto Online Tour, searching for Soweto’s history on Soweto Digital Library, read our Soweto’s premier digital magazine Soweto Entertainment, stay up to date with Soweto related events globally on Soweto Events Calendar, book in a local B&B on Soweto Accommodation and use a proudly local free e-mail platform Soweto Mail. Our Vision We have a dream to put Soweto (the most famous and largest urban township in the world) in the forefront of the digital village. Our Mission Our day to day operations are guided by the development of an innovative Soweto digital experience. Social Development Soweto Internet Radio has created a free e-mail account platform that allows anyone in the world to open and use an e-mail account. To help new e-mail users we have compiled a brochure on how to use e-mail. We have also started road shows in Soweto to open free e-mail accounts and educating the general public on how to use e-mail. Website: www.sowetointernetradio.com E-mail: maakaplan@sowetointernetradio.com Cell Contact: +27 79 659 9013
162 |
Best of Soweto
Uzwano Media Uzwano Media is an emerging advertising and promotions company focusing mainly on outdoor media.
We are fully BEE compliant and have a strong Corporate Social Investment Orientation. In addition to 7 years of experience in Outdoor Brand Promotions the company consists of ten professional people with long term service records in radio, promotions and outdoor. We have billboards/lamp street poles in and around Soweto ranging at very low prices and situated at very busy intersections. We have expanded our business into Lesotho and are currently looking at expanding further into other parts of South Africa and other countries. In addition to our outdoor media, we have an online marketing directory called www.sowetocentral.co.za which mainly focuses on upgrading and uplifting Soweto businesses; which include 5 photos, your business description, contact details, product and event listing. Uzwano Media also hosts charity events giving back to the community, paving the way for other Sowetanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s! Uzwano Media is owned by Vusi Mofokeng. For more info please contact +27 11 984 9132 www.uzwanomedia.co.za
Best of Soweto
| 163
CHAPTER 11 Utility Services
164 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 165
Tshisiku Business Management CC Creating a win-win partnership.
What We Do Any commercial, industrial, mining, agricultural, service, governmental or NGO organisation is comprised of, amongst others, administrative/financial staff whose functions include the tracking, monitoring, accounting and controlling of the input costs of the organisation.
166 |
Best of Soweto
Thereafter, the function of the financial staff is to monitor and compare expenditure against budgeted targets. Administrative staff do not usually question the utility invoices received from the utility provider, partly because in most cases, the utility provider is the sole supplier of these services and the technical understanding is
beyond the general experience of most staff. The utility providers have so many accounts that they cannot possibly engineer the best possible rates that exist for each and every consumer. Furthermore, the utility provider relies on the consumer to apply for the utility service, for
the correct service tariff and other service parameters and thereafter to examine their own costs and request corrections. The principle function of Tshisiku is to ensure that their clients employ the optimal utility usages patterns and are invoiced with THE LOWEST POSSIBLE UNIT COST for the utility service/s that they are being supplied with by the utility provider. Contact us for expert advice.
Contact Details Tel: +27 11 615 5887 Fax: + 27 11 615 5897 Cell: +27 83 440 3716 E-mail: hortecia@tshisiku.co.za Web: www.tshisiku.co.za Address: 3rd Floor Suite 305. Eastgate OfďŹ ce Tower Post: PO Box 1614, Bruma, 2026
Best of Soweto
| 167
Goodhope Satellite â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jabu Mazibuko After working as a technician for as long as he could remember, Jabu Mazibuko was inspired to start his own business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Goodhope Satellite was born.
At first Jabu worked for a TV aerial installation company before DStv was introduced in South Africa. He then had the chance to work for Multichoice as a technician, which is where his passion for installation began. Jabu decided to take the leap into being a business owner when Multichoice began to outsource their installation.
Jabu Mazibuko was born and raised in Soweto and the culture of Soweto runs through his veins, making him committed to keeping his business there. Jabu has been in the business for 27 years and brings a vast amount of experience and professionalism to Goodhope Satellite.
Goodhope Satelliteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s customers are TV owners for households, business offices, and residential complexes. Services offered include installation, maintenance and DStv repair, as well as aerial installation and home theatre connections. We are accredited to Multichoice and committed to following their guidelines in upholding their image and reputation.
4258 Mhlaba Drive Chiawelo Ext 2 Soweto 1818 Tel : +27 11 984 4320 Cell : +27 84 732 5821 +27 78 629 3315 E-mail: jabumazibuko.sat@vodamail.co.za
168 |
Best of Soweto
Best of Soweto
| 169
THE BEST OF
AFRICA We brand and build the image of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting economic regions to affect a change in the perception of a continent, a nation, a city and its people by the rest of the world. Global Village Africa is Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier platform for showcasing and networking governments, leading companies and entrepreneurs in business, tourism and lifestyle. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best of series companies and innovators, as leaders within their genre. We celebrate the success of countries, individuals and companies with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the good newsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; editorial and pictorial imagery in the highest quality print format available.
BRANDING A CONTINENT, A NATION, A CITY AND ITS PEOPLE
in association with
GVPedia.com Success, Sustainability and Culture
BEST OF THE WORLD Welcome to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier platform for showcasing and networking governments, leading companies and entrepreneurs in business, tourism and lifestyle. Through our Best of publishing series and gvpedia.com we showcase an ever expanding Atlas of Success and Sustainability across multiple continents and industries.
Brand Image
Growth and Opportunity
Branding a Nation, a City and its People
Exchanging knowledge, skills and economies of scale in media
GVP brands and builds the image of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most exciting economic regions to affect a change in the perception of a nation, a city and its people by the rest of the world. This then promotes the region in terms of its investment opportunities, key industries, innovations, people, culture, tourism potential and international objectives.
currently involved in more than 40 territories where the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best ofâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ! " # $ % & ' % multiple World Trade Centers as well as companies and individuals that have the expertise to showcase their city, state or country.
Product - The Books More than 1000 000 unique readers from 165 countries Celebrate your success The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best ofâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; publishing series produces annual maxi format book publications in over 40 territories, from Bangalore to Belgium. These detail success stories of people and companies making positive emerging markets. The books showcase entrepreneurial spirit; establishing powerful global networks and the creation of individual brand awareness by bridging cultures. The result is the ultimate interactive corporate gift and P.R. marketing tool for governments, companies, hotels and business people providing leading products and services for their region.
â&#x20AC;&#x153;An encyclopedia of success stories from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most interesting places, people and organizations.â&#x20AC;?
The www.gvpedia.com site was launched in 2008 so the success stories from the Best of the World print publications could all feature on an online platform. We have more than 20 000 pages live and growing fast. In July 2009 we launched an online directory engine and an eBook library to complement our website which has opened up the scope for new publishing partnerships beyond the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Best of Seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with new exciting books and magazines that focus on government, business and travel from around the world.
REGIONAL HEAD OFFICES Bangalore
Brussels
Cairo
Copenhagen
Dubai
Gaborone
GVPedia.com Global Village Encyclopedia
Johannesburg
London
Santiago
Singapore
Sydney
Washington DC
Participators
Adele Lucas Promotions
92
Amambo Art & Design
84
Best of Africa Series Chez Alina Restaurant
170 75
Clinix Health Group
148
Cornerstone
118
Daily Sun
154; 158
Easy Waves
124
Global Village Partnerships
172
Goodhope Satellite
168
Ikageng Itireleng Aids Ministry
140
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
18
Jabu Stone Natural Hair Care
123
Jet Stores
114
Johannesburg Expo Centre
106
Legit Stores
114
Liber8ed
116
Mokgalaka Creations Moloko Investment Group Monash South Africa Mr S’thombe-Man
86 OBC; 20 134 88
Nail City
126
Nkosi’s Carpets
119
Orlando Towers
48
Pauline’s Embroidery cc
117
Perfect Choice
125
Putco Limited
142
Sakhumzi Restaurant
76
Sheila’s Florist & Décor
87
Soft N Free South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHARA)
120 80
South West Gauteng College
138
4PXFUP 'FTUJWBM r &YQP
Soweto Internet Radio
162
Soweto Outdoor Adventures
49
Soweto Theatre
82
The Camera Cave Photo Studios
89
The Soweto Hotel
42
The Soweto Sewing Company
85
Tshisiku Business Management
166
University of Johannesburg
128
Uzwano Media
163
Wandie’s Place
74
176 |
Best of Soweto
&XOWLYDWH WKH œ(VVHQFH RI /LIH¡ ZLWK 0RORNR ,QYHVWPHQW *URXS Acquisition . Innovation . Growth Moloko Investment Group (MIG) is a dynamic investment company focusing on high-growth niche opportunities in the growth prospects, based on strong entrepreneurial fortitude with a specialised management team headed by its Chairperson, Richard Thabo Moloko. The Group strives continuously to revitalise its investments, encouraging the development of new activities while maintaining high standards of corporate entrepreneurship. MIG pioneers new products, services and businesses.
The Place, 1 Sandton Drive, Sandton 2146, South Africa Tel: + 27 11 944 9600. Email: info@molokoinvestmentgroup.co.za