The square is dedicated to the Congress of the People (COP) which was a gathering held here on June 25, 1955. At this gathering, the Freedom Charter was drawn up. The cone shaped brick structure has 4 openings at each adjacent side and you can go inside and read up on the tenets of the freedom charter. It's an interesting structure and I imagine the geometric architecture is meant to mean something I'm too unpolished to comprehend. The real deal here though, for me, is the market on the south wing of the square. The 'get up and grind' energy at this wing is commendable. You can find anything from second-hand bras to the freshest fruit and vegetables. At this point it also links up with the Kliptown's 'business district' where the shops are mostly run by the muslim- Indian community. Here, you can literally find and and every knick-knack under the sun. You name it, there's probably a shop around the corner that supplies it. If not the shop, then the vendor on the street has it. Go with an open mind, submit to the hustle and bustle and you'll be amused and inspired.

This is a vibrant landmark site in Soweto where one can safely purchase affordable fruit and vegetables at a fraction of the cost one would pay for the same products in supermarkets. You can also buy a variety of arts, crafts, traditional medicines and delicious cooked foods. There is outdoor seating, benches and lots of space to move around. Physical distancing is possible and one can feel more relaxed whilst shopping in this outdoor setting. It's one of the only places where one can buy a decent amount of fresh ginger for R10.00. It's also great to see the iconic and symbolic architecture. The place is steeped in history and there is a sense that everyone working there and visiting is able to recognize the signicance of the location and the greatness of the icon, Walter Sisulu. Aside from shopping here, I have also attended some amazing cultural events with indoor and outdoor activities. The venue enables many set ups and options for event organizers.

The flame was out, but its ideas burn on. The Freedom Charter Monument is part of the Walter Sisulu Square (also referred to as Freedom Square) with The Soweto hotel providing an interesting architectural flank to the one side. The monument is a cone shaped building with the 10 core Freedom Charter statements (adopted in 1955) in a circle where a flame was ignited when the building was commemorated. One door looks out over Kliptown and is particularly dramatic when seen at sunset. Don’t forget to look up and see the cross in the roof structure. On leaving we reflected that the flame may be out for now, but the ideas of the Charter certainly burn on in the hearts and minds of most South Africans. Certainly worth a visit.

A very usual run-of-the-mill playground which has been converted into a memorial and a square named after the famous Walter sisulu. Walter was alongside Nelson Mandela during his famous fight against apartheid. The memorial in itself is not very impressive does not actually provide any kind of extra information or has any photographs or history behind it. Majorly the ground has been converted into a shopping complex and can conveniently be given a miss.

Vibrant public space with a great street market culture where you can find great African wooden artifacts and when you exit the square, there's an equally exciting fresh produce market. I got a packet of 7 small avocadoes for R7. I loved it! You can also cross over the nearby railway line into 'Racecourse'- the oldest part of Kliptown- to find great graffiti murals on walls of heritage houses, shops and taverns. Kliptown has so much culture!

1955 Freedom Charter, the beginning of the end of Apartheid South Africa. History of the people's revolt against institutionalize discrimination called Apartheid well preserved in the Walter Sisulu Square... The Parliament of the New Democratic South Africa... Beautiful square with A Hotel, Museum, Government Service delivery point, Business Stalls buzzing with traders and customers... The Monument. If only it can be well maintained...

Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Alas, this historic square has been allowed to fall into disuse and disrepair. Given what happened here it's so unfortunate. The surrounding neighborhoods are filled with excitable children and entrepreneurial adults.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

The hotel staff and management make one feel at home the food the rooms every thing is top notch, the minute you walk in they welcome you and they never get tired of their guests and they are questioning
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure

It is so sad that this iconic part of our history is so run down and dilapidated. Government should fix and repair it since th dage done 3 years ago from the looting
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
No

It's a lovely small square nothing fancy. Its perfect for picking up some fresh fruits and veggies but not worth the drive if you stay more than 20 KM away from the location. FYI: hide your valuables, they will grow a pair of legs and run from you.

A friend took me there to show me what Kliptown looked like.When we arrived at the square we were shocked at the state the place was in.The place is basically destroyed,as all the glass windows/frames are gone and some still lying smashed

Beautiful place to go and have an adventure. Local cuisine is delicious and the Soweto Hotel is breathtakingly beautiful and a great escape for a night or two, Ubhukhosi Spa just relaxes your tired muscles its a definite must do.

The memorial tower with the 10 chapters of the freedom charter worth a visit. However, the whole area very neglected and dirty. Why the residents of Soweto take so little pride in their history is a mistery to me.

Great heritage site. It's important to be vigilant for tourists given the traffic in the area. It's near an informal settlement.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

It's sad that the building has been vandalised 2hat is being done about it. As a person born and breed in Kliptown it's sad to see the state of what was supposed to have been a tourist attraction is left to rot

Went there for the annual soweto wine festival, the place is in deep township. Definetly will need a gps driving there, the event was amazing. Will i come back? Not really, the place if far to be quit honest!

Quite interesting history even though they don't do enough advertising for the area but that's one place that all kids leaving around Soweto should know and understand what Walter Sisulu Square came about

Place is vandalised it needs beefing up of security and the municipality to take care of this hertatios place for the upcoming generation
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
1 hr+

Marvelous, but what a disaster this area still is, and by all accounts is almost worse than in apartheid times. I was shocked at how poor living conditions still are in Soweto.

The current condition of the square mirrors the condition of the surrounding area poor and ran down and a hazard ...this place has been neglected since my last review

It was nice being near the Pillars of the Constitution. But the area was not too clean. Would be hoping that we keep the country more clean and people can feel we

My event at the place was beautiful although older guests were not impressed with the state the venue is in now, of course they're comparing it to the 90s. More

Security, peace. There is no noise. Place to rest indeed. Carrying Service from every one who is working there. Clean. Affordable prices.. And wonderful food.

It's been badly damaged due to the covid unrest and building vandalism, but Soweto Hotel still looks good.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait

The place is actually nice, one can get a feel of the historical presence while at the same time experience the present shift of the cultural surroundings

Guide Busi, very informative, place untidy not maintained properly. There should plant grass and make the place attractive for tourists

This place use to be great however it is now being vandalized .. there is nothing to visit
Visited on…
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Greatest land mark to visit but it aint safe at night By chance, if u want any traditional wear, visit shop no. 2

Beautiful sighting offering knowledge of historical background of Walter Sisulu's achievements,etc.....

It was so good, the place was clean and the food was so good all in all we had good time

Very wonderful historic site, where Freedom Charter was officially adopted at Kliptown

Was awesome when established but now seems like it's no longer maintained like before

An important monument to the suffering and death of the student protestors of 1976

The structure has been destroyed and vandalized
Wait time
No wait…
More

Place is a little clean needs to be fixed but still great historical place

This place doesn't look like it used to.
Visited on
Weekday…
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Had a lovely day with my kid the
Visited on
Weekend…
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Great place with lot of hostory and good place host events

An historic place indeed.
Visited on
Weekday…
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