“The movement to position Kliptown as the artists’ mecca of Soweto is one that is gaining ground as we tap into the wealth of talent here,” continues Sangweni-Siddo. The campaign, Kliptown Artists Impact, will be celebrating women this August by using art and photography to stimulate dialogue with women. An installation titled ‘Conversations with Women: Social Morals, will be the platform through which we honour and inspire women across all sectors”.

The series of tours will kick off on Monday, 9 August with a photographic expose of Oom Bolo’s work. His photographs focus on women and will act as conversation starters for a discussion on social morals from the elders of Kliptown to the younger generation of women. The package includes a walking tour to Oom Bolo’s, a township breakfast at Oom Bolo’s, participation in the discussion with local women and viewing of the photographs, walk back to the hotel, a traditional lunch buffet at The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre, followed by a shuttle tour to the Alf Kumalo Museum in Diepkloof, with a return shuttle to the hotel.

There will be two more installations of the ‘Conversations with Women: Social Morals’ on Saturday, 14 August and Saturday, 21 August. All tours depart from The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre and cost R250.00 per single, including all meals and transfers (excluding drinks) and R450.00 per couple, including all meals and transfers (excluding drinks).

The Womens Month celebrations will culminate with events held at The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre during the last weekend in August. Author of ‘Soweto’, Jodi Bieber and Alf Kumalo, internationally renowned photographer and author, will host a book signing on Friday, 27 August between 18:00 and 19:00. Guests will enjoy the hotel’s infamous Kliptini’s and have the opportunity to meet these inspiring individuals.

The book signing will be followed by a dinner titled ‘Conversations with Women from Behind My Camera Lens’ which will give Alf Kumalo the opportunity to share his anecdotal stories of the various photographs he has taken of women over the years. His collection is legendary and includes some of South Africa’s renowned and little known activists, mothers, grandmothers, political figures, artists and performers. The honour of sitting with this leading photographer is R250.00 per single or R450.00 per couple and includes a 3-course dinner and live entertainment by Sidney Mnisi’s Trio.

The Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund will also participate in this celebration of women by hosting a continuation of ‘Conversations with Women’ at The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre on 28 August from 14:00 to 20:00.

“We’re very excited about the conversations with women as it’s not just about exhibiting photographs and telling stories, it’s about empowering women and celebrating them in each and every role that they choose, whether it’s mother, wife, activist, entrepreneur, teacher or preacher,” concludes Sangweni-Siddo. “The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre is proud to partner in this initiative and will actively support the drive to position Kliptown as the home of the artist”.

The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre is one of Soweto’s first 4-star hotels. Catering for locals and visitors alike, the hotel offers delectable cuisine, luxurious accommodation and soulful jazz with a distinct cultural flavour, intermingled with contemporary flair. This gem instills a sense of pride and nostalgia, captured by renowned photographer, Alf Khumalo’s eclectic visual collection of jazz and historical memorabilia which form the backdrop of the hotel’s stylish interior décor.

This 4-star facility has 46 Deluxe Standard Rooms and 2 Presidential Suites. Inter-leading rooms are available for families and groups. Rooms are equipped with televisions (with a broad bouquet of local and international channels), coffee/tea making facilities, wireless connectivity, hairdryers and in-room safes. Room service, laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available. The hotel also has three boardrooms seating six, eight and 14 guests each and fully equipped with AV equipment.

For further information, please contact The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre on
+27 (0) 11 527 7300 or reservations@sowetohotel.co.za