Last week, I had the pleasure of spending a night at Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, and it was an experience I won’t soon forget. Having only visited the outside restaurant previously, I was amazed by the sheer size of the establishment. Lebo’s offers a variety of rooms, from cozy en-suite bedrooms (like the one I stayed in that felt instantly like home) to shared accommodations with communal bathrooms.
My adventure began with a quintessential Soweto experience: a tuk-tuk tour. We cruised past the iconic home of Kaizer Motaung, founder of the Kaizer Chiefs football club where his grandmother still resides. The tour continued to Dube, a historical neighborhood that sheltered many intellectuals during the Apartheid era. Finally, the tuk-tuk deposited us at the home of Gibson Kente, the father of black theatre in South Africa. As someone with a drama degree, standing in the birthplace of so many legendary thespians was a truly surreal moment.
Returning to Lebo’s after the tour, we were wrapped in warm blankets against the winter chill as we cruised past the famous Vilakazi Street. The beautiful outdoor restaurant at Lebo’s Backpackers with its Jamaican vibes (a testament to Lebo’s passion for Rastafarian culture), provided the perfect setting for an evening of reggae music, delicious red wine, and a taste of Nthabiseng’s incredible Gluewein.
But the night was far from ordinary. Lebo’s hosted a storytelling session by the iconic Mtutuzeli Matshoba, a name synonymous with South African creative history. To warm up for the storytelling, we devoured a delicious soup followed by a hearty chicken stew with rice and sides. The stew, especially, brought back memories of my mom’s cooking back home in Phoenix, Durban.
The storytelling itself was an experience that resonated deeply. As someone with a drama degree who cherishes the African tradition of gathering around the fire to hear folktales (inganegwane in isiZulu), this was pure nostalgia.
The night flowed into meaningful conversations with fellow guests, and by morning, we were treated to a delicious breakfast before departing. What truly impressed me was Lebo’s commitment to empowering young people, with most of the staff being young individuals from the Soweto area.
Lebo’s Backpackers is more than just a place to stay; it’s a home away from home. Whether you’re looking for a cozy en-suite room for R850 a night or a week-long or even month-long stay, Lebo’s has something for everyone. They also offer a variety of activities, which you can find on their Instagram page @sowetobybike. If you’re looking for a truly immersive Soweto experience that combines culture, history, and storytelling, look no further than Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers!
Listen to this raw footage of my conversation with the lovely wife of the late Lebo Malepa, Maria Malepa.
Your stories always take me on such a great journey !! Sbwl the travel life !!!!
Omg this makes me so happy! thank you and do try the place one day.