"Marc Lurie" wrote in message
news:89huv05hp3aedgbjrvc7ps9vgfperej9ej@4ax.com...
> Richard,
>
> I am shocked at your response to Caroline's enquiry. Overnight stays
> in Soweto are becoming a very popular tourist attraction, organised by
> professional companies, and are extremely informative, interesting and
> SAFE.
Last year two armed hijacks and a muggings and that was only one
of my contractors in Soweto during the day with an armed guard.
you call that safe?.
>
> I'm not for one minute suggesting that Caroline and family go blindly
> swanning about Soweto at night (or daytime for that matter), and I'm
> sure that was never her intention.
>
> I think that the idea of staying overnight is an excellent opportunity
> for a 9 year old to learn about other cultures and societies.
>
>
http://www.southafrica.info/plan_trip/holiday/cities/aatravelguide-soweto.htm
>
> I found the above link in less than a minute on Google, and
> personally, I feel that you should have done a bit of research before
> you posted your reply to Caroline.
I don't need to research a place I have been going to Soweto
on a weekly basis for the last 20 years.I don't care about what
the research tells you, I have my own experience in Soweto
and most other townships around Jo'burg. I don't try and sell
it to the tourists, I won't put anyone in any type of danger.
You are right that I often see tour groups and the daily ones
are perfectly safe. After dark and at weekends things change,
when Soweto parties be careful. I was warned twice last year
by police because there was a funeral in the area and people
were getting worked up.
I was also *kidnapped* to attend a wedding and it was all I
could do to get out sober everytime I got up to leave they
shoved another beer into my hand. I had never met anyone
who was there, previously. They just thought it would be nice
to *invite* me. You are definitely right about differences in
culture. Drive through on a Friday evening and see the cattle
tied to the fences ready to be slaughtered for a wedding the
following day. Drive through on a Saturday morning when
they are butchering the animals, there sure is a lot to see.
>
> How you can say that there is not enough to hold the attention for
> more than a day is beyond me. Do you have any idea about other
> people's interests? There are several "usual" sights in Soweto as well
> as popular nightspots etc. There certainly could be more than just a
> few hours of things to do and see.
Night spots with a 9 year old child ? obviously your standards and
mine are a little different. What sights are there in Soweto that would
take more than a day to see ? cite please.
>
> Caroline:
> Please research your stay in Soweto, and use a reputable agency that
> has done this sort of trip before. I'm sure you'll have a very
> interesting experience staying overnight, and you will come away with
> a new appreciation of the vast differences between the diverse
> cultures of our amazing country.
>
> BTW, July in Johannesburg/Soweto will be cold, and we don't use
> central heating. Daytime temps are around +10C to +17C, with nighttimes
> temps down to about between +3C and -5C. You will need pullovers and
> a good jacket.
>
Mark
I work in most of the townships around Johannesburg, last year two
of my contractors in Soweto were held up and all there valuables
and truck were stolen.
On another occasion last year another of my workers was
held up at gun point in Soweto. In Katelehong there was
a gun battle between guards and locals, two trucks stolen.
An Indian site manage was kept hostage for 8 hours
until the casual labourers were paid. Where were the police
when all this was happening ?. I don't believe it is safe for
female or child tourists after dark. I regularly stay after dark,
but I know the place and the risks involved. Tourists are
not so experienced therefore I wouldn't recommend children
or females in there after dark. It is dangerous whether you
believe it or not it is up to you, I definitely would not take
a white female in there after dark. How much experience do
you actually have in Soweto Mark ?, it is a big place and easy
to get lost. Caroline the decision is yours, you must do as you
see fit, and I hope you enjoy your visit no mater where you
decide to go.
Richard
>
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