City Sightseeing Jhb and So We Too offer Soweto tour

So We Too is a business started and operated by a young local team from Soweto, which offers taxi tours through the streets of the township, visiting five of the top attractions. "Our team yearns to share the real experience of Soweto - the Soweto of today, a vibrant, innovative and forever changing environment that has not been explored to its full potential," said Kgomotso Pooe, chairman of So We Too.

The new partnership now makes it very easy for passengers not only to explore the Joburg CBD, but also to extend their visit to include the excitement of Soweto.

With the City Sightseeing Soweto Taxi combo deal you can hop aboard your very own air-conditioned "taxi to Soweto" at Gold Reef City, (Bus Stop 6) for the short drive to the SOuth WEstern TOwnships.

Seamless connection between bus and taxi

City Sightseeing staff will assist with the seamless connection between bus and taxi and this hop-on, hop-off taxi tour, which takes place in a Quantum bus, also includes an on-board guide that can offer in-depth, interesting and personal information and anecdotes.

The tour begins at Walter Sisulu Square in the heart of Kilptown, a place that could be called the birthplace of South Africa's constitution. The next stop is the Hector Pietersen Memorial in Orlando West, where your guide will share stories of the student uprisings that ultimately changed the course of our nation's history. One of the most iconic images of the struggle against apartheid is that of the dying Hector Pietersen being carried in the arms of another student on 16 June, 1976.

From there continue on to Vilakazi Street - the only road in the world to call two Nobel Prize winners residents. Spend some time in the home of Nelson Mandela and learn a little more about the life and times of our beloved and respected past president and tata (grandfather). Keep an eye out for Mrs Tutu, who still visits the home she shared with her husband Desmond, a little further down the road.

The last stop on the tour is the bustling Baragwanath Taxi Rank and Trader's Market. The biggest and busiest taxi rank in Soweto, where you will be caught up in the vibrant energy and atmosphere - make sure you bring spending money for all the wonderful wares on sale at the many stalls. From there you can then board the minibus back to Gold Reef City where you can then climb onto the City Sightseeing bus for the Red City Tour.

"The Soweto Taxi Tour showcases a unique side of Soweto," said Pooe."By hopping off at the various stops along the route visitors can immerse themselves in the Soweto vibe and at each of the stops you will find approved local guides wearing the "So We Too" T-shirts (which indicate their accreditation). A guided tour of each stop is optional, but highly recommended as many of the guides grew up in Soweto and can provide in-depth insight into growing up in this vibrant township."

Red City Tour

This Combo Deal includes a one-day ticket on the City Sightseeing bus.

The Red City Tour visits stops such as Gandhi Square, the Roof of Africa at the Carlton Centre, the James Hall Transport Museum, the Apartheid Museum, Gold Reef City, the Mining District, the World of Beer, Newtown Precinct, the Origins Centre, Wits Campus, Braamfontein and Constitution Hill.

City Sightseeing Joburg operates on a hop-on, hop-off basis, which means you can get off the bus at any of the designated stops along the route and then jump back on to a later bus at your leisure. Hear all about the sites and the story of Joburg through the on-board commentary, which is available in 10 different languages as well as a special Kids Commentary.

This Combo Deal is perfect for individual adventurers or groups looking for something memorable and exciting to do, also great as a team-building exercise for work colleagues. The Red City tour runs seven days a week 9am to 5pm, with departures to Soweto for the Taxi Tour at 10.15am (Return 12.15pm), 12.15pm (Return 2.15pm) and 2.15pm (Return 4.15pm).

Tickets for the Combo Deal are only R400, and if you buy online you get it at the discounted price of R340. City Sightseeing can be contacted on 0861 733 287 or go to www.citysightseeing.co.za.