By Palesa Matlala
- A Soweto man started working as a tour guide on Vilakazi Street after teaching himself South African history without formal training.
- He earns about R9,500 a month, but says rain and fewer tourists have recently reduced his income and affected business.
Tourists visiting Vilakazi Street are being guided by people who taught themselves local history.
Some of these guides have no formal training. They stand near Vilakazi Street and the Hector Pieterson Museum, where tourists visit daily.
Milton Edmond, 28, said he first saw this when he visited the area with friends. A man approached them offering a tour, but they said no.
Another guide then approached them. That is when Edmond became interested in the work.
“This guy told me that anyone can be a tour guide on Vilakazi Street but you must do your South African history,” he said.
Edmond then researched and prepared himself. He said his first tour went well.
Three years later, he built his own business.
He said he does walking tours because he does not have a car. He believes this helps tourists experience the area better.
“I don’t have a car or any form of transport. My tours are done on foot and it helps because it gives tourists a feel of the area,” he said.
He earns about R9,500 a month. But recent rain has affected his income.
“March was not a month for me. I made less than R5,000. Tourists don’t visit when it’s raining,” he said.
He said the business helps him support his family. He has also passed his driver’s test.
Edmond now wants to grow his business and support the township economy.
Pictured above: Vilakazi Street.
Image source: Joburg360
