FIFA World Cup 2010: Soweto

Soweto is a name familiar to most people, even if they don't know exactly where it is or why the name is familiar. It's name comes from the words South Western Townships which was it's given name under the old South African Apartheid Government which had policies that prevented people from different races from living together (among many other things). It also was the home of the iconic figure Nelson Mandela who lived there for many years, and his old residence is now a very popular tourist attraction. Just down the road is the home of another well known Nobel Prize winner by the name of Desmond Tutu - making this the only place in the world where two Nobel Prize winners lived in the same street!

Soweto drew worldwide attention in 1976 when a mass uprising against government policies exploded in violence with the police opening fire on a group of school children involved in a protest. It was this incident that caused the international community to impose sanctions against the South African government, both culturally and economically.
Soweto is a very large area in the North of South Africa which is a part of Johannesburg and comprises of 87 townships. Housing is made up in part by "matchbox houses" that were previously built to house migrant workers. It is still a poor area, with many still living in shanty towns with little or no access to facilities like water and electricity, however other areas have large homes that are much alike to the wealthier areas of Johannesburg.

In recent years there has been more effort by the government to improve the area by paving roads, building houses and ensuring residents have proper access to facilities. There has also been the development of a number of Malls and even an upmarket hotel.

Soweto will also be hosting some of the matches for the FIFA World Cup. Orlando stadium was originally built in 1959 and is the place to which the school children were marching when the police opened fire on them in 1976. It is remarkable that just over 30 years later there has been so much change in the country, and even the area alone, that it is now hosting an international event such as this.

Orlando Stadium has also been re-vamped and is ready to host a world-class event in world-class style. On the 10th of June they will be celebrating the launch of the FIFA World Cup by having a Concert where proceeds will go to a number of really great charities for the upliftment of the local community.

A number of local musicians will be playing at the concert and our favorite is a band called Freshly Ground. They were featured with Shakira in the official World Cup Song. Check it out on YouTube here.

And, to get yourself in the mood, don't forget to play our latest Football themed slot machine, "Footy Fanatic".