Originally published in Mango in-flight magazine
Before 1994, townships were generally regarded as off-limits to tourists. Most guidebooks described them as dangerous slums overrun by poverty and despair – to be avoided at all costs. But over the last 16 years these myths have slowly been debunked, thanks largely to a new breed of innovative entrepreneurs who’ve made their own back yards surprisingly enticing and accessible.
Brief township tours conducted from the comfort of semi-luxury, air-conditioned vehicles have been popular for some time now. However, it makes more sense to step out of the tour bus and into a more interactive experience, including overnight stays. Weekend trips are now the best way to have a township tourism experience, and around the country tourists are flocking to shebeens, craft markets, cultural shows, exhibits, museums and overnight accommodation to truly drink in everything that these fascinating places have to offer.
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