If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the Taste of Soweto stays true to this healthy tenet with a hearty township breakfast at The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre. With typical traditional treats such as sautéed chicken livers and Jeqe (dumpling), magwinya (vetkoek) and more, served alongside a selection of hot and cold beverages and fresh fruit and yoghurt, this one’s sure to give a great start to the day.

A walk around Kliptown, to the neighbouring Soweto Kliptown Youth Centre, will ensure that the magwinya and Jeqe do not settle on the hips and one works up a thirst for the mid-morning African Beer at the African Travern. The next stop is Oom Bolo’s home museum where the delicious lunch selection of phutu (fluffy, steamed maize meal), maas (cultured sour milk), Indian curry, mogodu (tripe), mnqushu (boiled dried samp and dried beans) and more, gives added significance to the cultural surrounds and interesting tales.

Once again, a walk back to the hotel gets the digestive juices flowing and prepares guests for the driven tour through Pimville to the Baragwanath Taxi Rank. This park and walk tour through the market and taxi rank includes stopping at the traditional Cow’s Head (inhloko) for favourites such as phutu and umhluzi (natural jus from slow cooking meat) and roasted maize and peanuts.

After all those savoury delights, the tea and coffee at Vicky’s bakery in Klipspruit are most welcome. And if one feels like a stuffed turkey at that stage, it is advisable to buy the delicious take-away cakes and goodies for a midnight snack later on.

A taste of Soweto would not be complete without a stop at Morara Wine Emporium in Mofolo, home to one of South Africa’s best wine selections in Jozi. Enjoy a glass of one of these delectable wines at the Masakeng Pub next door whilst mingling with the locals, embracing the Sowetan vibe.

Just as one is about to politely decline another morsel or sip, the tour takes a slightly different turn to Maponya Mall. The Bath House & Beauty Spa therapists offer a soothing back, shoulder and neck massage that will relax the senses and bring a calming aura to this whistle-stop tour.

Once all calm and stress-free, the tour returns to The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre where guests can chill amidst the eclectic collection of jazz and historical memorabilia which form the backdrop of the hotel’s stylish interior décor. A soak in a bubble bath with a Kliptini (alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktail made from traditional ginger beer) offers a rewarding end to the Taste of Soweto.

The full day (8 hour) tour costs R1 925.00pp and includes meals, drinks, a massage and 1 nights stay at The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre (B&B). A half day tour is available on request.

The tours are conducted by Aahaah Shuttle & Tours with professionally trained tourist guides. For bookings, please contact The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre on 011 527 7300 or email reservations@sowetohotel.co.za