In the early 90′s I went on a bus tour of Soweto and in those days it was crazy to even think of getting out of the bus. Well this past weekend with the help of Sunset Travel and a work college as a tour guy we headed off to Soweto for the afternoon – there were 15 of us 8 adults and a plethera of kids. It was awesome – it was a amzaing and certainly will go back. There are a few things that did stand out – first off the food – we went to this new restaurant called Chaf Pozi – it is a buy and braai place – real African – I mean I am sure their target market is actually locals – well I predict with the location – service and concept they have a winning recipe. We ate like kings enjoyed the vibe – live DJ – cold beers – chilled wine – they have it waxed – visit this place. You will find it just below the Orlando towers – once in Soweto you certainly cannot miss it. Next up wow Mandela’s house has changed since I say it 20 years ago – the street is now paved as is much of the area we drove through – in fact we saw better roads there than one can find in Northiriding – a Northern suburbs area.

The trip and visit as a whole made me think on something I heard a few years ago – that we do not have a history in SA – the whites mainly – the English whites – you see Black people in SA have a history – the struggle was theirs – the Afrikaners have the Voortrekker monument – shoo this must never be taken away – Soweto has the Hector Petersen memorial and as a current 38 year old – I recognised many pictures – videos and news broadcasts I had seen 30 years ago. Now on point – as South Africans – Proud South Africans should we not be looking @ setting up a history museum where all cultures can display their history – unbiased – liberal – just the facts – to have a place where all South Africans can have a place in history – what ever the story – from Eugene to Julius – everyone – we have lived history in this country for over 300 years – is it not time that collectively we stand together and have a common History museum where we document history for everyone ?-  to show our youngsters what has happened and the transformation of this land as a whole – all sides of the story – all colours – all versions – unbiased and in one place under 1 roof? It is time we are living history and for the sake of our children and grandchildren we must document it – TOGETHER!

My point is tell everyone where you plan on going, for how long and why you are going, it is for work, pleasure or just to escape for a while. This may change the nature and positioning of your holiday depending on where you are going. You do not want to get back to hear ” Yes I would have told you that” or similar. It is no fun and makes an ultimate holiday a simple slap in the face. Do your homework before you go and speak to people that have been there or done it before. Just because your travel agent says so that you will agree when you return. Their point of view is just that, one persons point of view, get a few views before you make that final payment.

Speak to friends and family as often they have been, sure take what they say where it comes from and with a pinch of salt if you have to. Get a few views and see if the underlying left or right side of the road is the same, maybe it really is not and that was just your point of view? Maybe now is not the best time to travel. Do your home work and ask for advice often it is free!