Soweto

American  

[suh-wee-toh, -wey-] / səˈwi toʊ, -ˈweɪ- /

noun

1. a group of townships in northeastern South Africa, southwest of and administered by Johannesburg: constructed in the 1950s and early 1960s to provide housing and services for Black Africans. 26 sq. mi. (67 sq. km).

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Soweto British  

/ -ˈweɪtəʊ, səˈwɛtəʊ /

noun

1. a contiguous group of Black African townships southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa: the largest purely Black African urban settlement in southern Africa: scene of riots (1976) following protests against the use of Afrikaans in schools for Black African children. Area: 62 sq km (24 sq miles). Pop: 858 649 (2001)

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Soweto Cultural  

1. Collective name for a group of townships inhabited by black Africans, located southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Discover More

Soweto was the site of severe racial violence before the dismantling of apartheid.

Etymology

Origin of Soweto

C20: from so ( uth ) we ( st ) to ( wnship )

Example Sentences

Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma scored twice to give Orlando Pirates a 3-1 win at Golden Arrows on Wednesday, keeping the Soweto outfit three points behind South African Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Just six minutes had been played on an unseasonable chilly night in Soweto when Tshepang Moremi scored the lone goal, firing into the net after Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire parried a cross.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

In the 1980s, Irvin, a 12-year-old child in Soweto, in apartheid South Africa, drew a foreboding picture.

From Slate • Mar. 15, 2025

“Can you believe, here I am and I’m still not sure who to vote for?” said Kedibone Makhubedu, 47, as she lined up outside of a community center in the township of Soweto.

From New York Times • May 29, 2024

Today, my return to Soweto fills my heart with joy.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela