Tourists hope that the right tour will put money into pockets that need it - community tourism in action. Many emerge saying that for all the hardship they encountered, a profound sense of hope appears to prevail. Proponents of these tours argue that well run tours enable tourists to meet residents and gain an insight in this completely different environment. The guides are typically members of the community who desire to share their experience and surroundings with others. Tours to townships usually include: visits to national heritage sites stops at restaurants or shebeens (local drinking holes) and opportunities for shopping and interaction with the locals, often in private homes. This interesting dichotomy has challenged many pre-conceived notions of a South African township. Cozy suburbia is juxtaposed with grim shacks. Democracy has brought great changes to these townships and now you may see newly built roads and magnificent brick homes where shacks once stood.

This includes an influence on music, dancing, dress and speech. A whole culture has developed in the townships over and above traditional African culture. Although the policy of Apartheid is no longer in place, most South Africans continue to live in these areas. Usually based in the outskirts of a city centre, they often lack basic facilities like electricity and running water. Townships are urban residential areas that were set aside for non-white people during South Africa's policy of Apartheid (1948 - 1994). Whilst on the surface this may appear to provide a valuable cultural exchange, others may argue: where do you draw the line between tourism and voyeurism? What benefit do these often ‘awkward tours provide to you as the tourist as well as to the inhabitants of these townships? As well as this, many famous townships, such as Soweto, really assist the tourist in further understanding the South African freedom struggle and provide the focal point of black urban culture.

Many people who have undertaken these tours would recommend them and argue that they provide a real insight into how the majority of South Africans actually live. Recently this question became more frequent following the 2010 Football World Cup, when TV correspondents often reported from townships showing jubilant scenes of tourists celebrating with local fans. When planning holidays to South Africa we are often asked whether an inclusion of a township tour is recommended.

Township of south africa