Gugulethu ("Our Pride"), situated about 20 kilometres from Cape Town, is one of the fastest developing townships in South Africa. Under apartheid, poverty, oppression and overcrowding characterized life in Gugs and therefore in the seventies the township was the scene of demonstrations.

Riots also followed after 7 young activists were ambushed and killed in a roadblock set up by police on 3 March 1986. Recently, a monument was erected to commemorate the 'Gugulethu Seven'. The memorial consist of seven granite statues, ecah commemorating one of the seven men.

Gugs harbours many empowerment projects, as for instance Cyn Catering Services, which specialises in traditional food and is housed at the Yellow Door Jazz Cafe. Here, skilled, unemployed people are involved in cooking, baking and waitressing.

On the weekends go (with a local, if you're a tourist) for a drink at Pirates, sundowners and braai at Mzoli's place, owned by Mzoli Ngcawuze, and go Wine Dine and Dance at Thuthuka Cafe.

Guguletu became the first black township with an information technology center, providing top class training in multi-media and youth development programs.



Molo says: "More on townships in Cape Town and township tours to Guguletu , Khayelitsha or Langa can be found in our Things to do in the Cape Town Townships section or the Things to do in the townships at night."

"I highly recommend sleeping a night in one of the Cape Town township Bed & Breakfasts such as Ma Neo in Langa Township in Langa or Vicky's Towhship B&B and Kopanong Bed & Breakfast in Khayelitsha township."