Staying in Soweto

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations on staying in Soweto?
My husband, nine year old son and I are travelling to South Africa in
July and would like to spend a night there.
Thankyou in anticipation

Richard and Mark
Thankyou for your interest in my enquiry and your helpful thoughts.
Having read guide books, the Jo'burg official website and seen the
number of guest houses in Soweto I was under the impression that it was
(relatively) safe to stay within the Vilikazi Street area and that
tourists were indeed being encouraged to visit and stay in the area. We
didn't really want to gawp from a moving bus but be there and spend our
money there rather than with a tour company. I certainly have no desire
to dive into anywhere dangerous or to put my son in danger, but as
Soweto is such an important piece of modern history we felt we couldn't
visit your country without showing him. We certainly didn't intend to
go out after dark with him. I think in the light of your replies we may
indeed finish up on a tour bus but hopefully one that encourages people
to 'Get off the bus'
Cows being slaughtered isn't a pretty sight, but if you visit
different cultures...... and I speak as a vegan!
Wherever we go, we're really looking forward to visiting your country.

Oh, and thankyou for the links!

Richard and Marc
Thankyou for your interest in my enquiry and your helpful th­oughts.
Having read guide books, the Jo'burg official website and se­en the
number of guest houses in Soweto I was under the impression ­that it
was
(relatively) safe to stay within the Vilikazi Street area an­d that
tourists were indeed being encouraged to visit and stay in t­he area.
We
didn't really want to gawp from a moving bus but be there an­d spend
our
money there rather than with a tour company. I certainly hav­e no
desire
to dive into anywhere dangerous or to put my son in danger, ­but as
Soweto is such an important piece of modern history we felt ­we
couldn't
visit your country without showing him. We certainly didn't ­intend to

go out after dark with him. I think in the light of your rep­lies we
may
indeed finish up on a tour bus but hopefully one that encour­ages
people
to 'Get off the bus'
Cows being slaughtered isn't a pretty sight, but if you vis­it
different cultures...... and I speak as a vegan!
Wherever we go, we're really looking forward to visiting you­r
country.
And thanks for the link Marc - had already read about these two ladies
and was thinking they may be a possibility

<abbotpottery@m> wrote in message
news:1107288069.782725.112590@z14g2000cwz. o...
> Richard and Mark
> Thankyou for your interest in my enquiry and your helpful thoughts.
> Having read guide books, the Jo'burg official website and seen the
> number of guest houses in Soweto I was under the impression that it was
> (relatively) safe to stay within the Vilikazi Street area and that
> tourists were indeed being encouraged to visit and stay in the area. We
> didn't really want to gawp from a moving bus but be there and spend our
> money there rather than with a tour company. I certainly have no desire
> to dive into anywhere dangerous or to put my son in danger, but as
> Soweto is such an important piece of modern history we felt we couldn't
> visit your country without showing him. We certainly didn't intend to
> go out after dark with him. I think in the light of your replies we may
> indeed finish up on a tour bus but hopefully one that encourages people
> to 'Get off the bus'
> Cows being slaughtered isn't a pretty sight, but if you visit
> different cultures...... and I speak as a vegan!
> Wherever we go, we're really looking forward to visiting your country.
>
The tours do indeed get people of the buses, a lot of them stop for
a drink / snack in a *real* shabeen and stop for an early dinner in
a rather well known restaurant. You visit all the modern historical
sites, and according to my ex they give you a very good commentary.
Although my ex was a *Cape Malay* she only went into Soweto
on an organised tour. You will enjoy it. Should you want to do
anything alone in a township take a local body guard At US$40-00
a day they are worth it and they can also show you places of
interest. If you need one let me know and I can give you a
couple of phone numbers.
Enjoy your trip
Richard

Hey! Thanks folks! Had a look at the link, but the dates are all 2002
which makes me wonder if he's still in business.
I think fora, but it looks wrong.