Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
1.7M
Population
200 km2
Area
69 Mbps
Internet
1,632m
Elevation
UTC+02:00
Timezone
QRA (29km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Soweto's streets echo with the resilient spirit of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, from Vilakazi Street's Mandela House to vibrant township art scenes. Digital nomads tap into Johannesburg's connectivity while immersing in shebeen culture and live jazz amid a mild highveld climate. Affordable guesthouses and co-working pop-ups blend history with hustle.
QUICK FACTS
Country
South Africa
Region
Southern Africa
Population
1.7M
Timezone
UTC+02:00
Elevation
1,632 m
Currency
ZAR
Language
Afrikaans
Airport
QRA
GPS
-26.27, 27.86
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
69 Mbps internet — adequate for most digital work
A major city with a population of 1,695,047
INFRASTRUCTURE
2,076 total POIs 10.4 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
41
Cafes
11
Bars
12
Fast Food
79
Shopping
Supermarkets
85
Convenience
88
Shopping Malls
81
Healthcare
Hospitals
20
Clinics
34
Pharmacies
11
Education
Schools
379
Universities
12
Libraries
13
Recreation
Parks
152
Playgrounds
33
Sports
92
Cinemas
4
Museums
4
Theatres
2
Transport
Bus Stops
52
Train Stations
36
Fuel Stations
170
Services
Banks
15
ATMs
32
Post Offices
11
Police
14
Fire Stations
7
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
69 Mbps
Download
48 Mbps
Upload
13ms
Latency
13,846
Tests
3,517
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: May - Sep
12°
J
12°
F
14°
M
16°
A
19°
M
21°
J
21°
J
21°
A
19°
S
16°
O
14°
N
12°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 16.4 C Range: 21.2 - 11.5 C Rain: 351 mm/year Sunshine: 3,849 h/year
CITY SCORES
76.9
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
60.0
Overall
AIRPORT
QRA
Rand Airport
29 km from center
~52 min ride
FUN FACTS
History George Harrison and George Walker are today credited as the men who discovered an outcrop of the Main Reef of gold on the farm Langlaagte in February 1886.
Blacks were moved away from Johannesburg, to an area separated from White suburbs by a so-called cordon sanitaire (or sanitary corridor) which was usually a river, railway track, industrial area or highway.
This was carried out using the infamous Urban Areas Act of 1923.
He called for a competition to give a collective name to townships dotted around the South-west of Johannesburg.
The name Soweto was first used in 1963 and within a short period of time, following the 1976 uprising of students in the township, the name became internationally known.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Soweto known for?
Soweto's streets echo with the resilient spirit of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, from Vilakazi Street's Mandela House to vibrant township art scenes. Digital nomads tap into Johannesburg's connectivity while immersing in shebeen culture and live jazz amid a mild highveld climate. Affordable guesthouses and co-working pop-ups blend history with hustle.
How fast is the internet in Soweto?
Soweto has an average download speed of 69 Mbps and upload speed of 48 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Soweto?
Soweto has an average year-round temperature of approximately 16.4 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Soweto?
Soweto is served by QRA (Rand Airport), approximately 29 km from the city center.
What is the population of Soweto?
The population of Soweto is approximately 1.7M.
What infrastructure does Soweto have?
Soweto has 2,076 mapped points of interest, including 41 restaurants, 20 hospitals, 379 schools.
What country is Soweto in?
Soweto is located in South Africa.