Nelson Mandela lived at 8115 Vilakazi Street before his imprisonment, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu lived just a few houses away. Both men later won the Nobel Peace Prize — Tutu in 1984 for his non-violent opposition to apartheid, and Mandela in 1993 alongside F.W. de Klerk for negotiating the end of apartheid. Mandela's former home is now the Mandela House museum.
Source: Soweto Tourism
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Nelson Mandela's former home?
Yes — 8115 Vilakazi Street is now the Mandela House Museum, open to the public and preserved to reflect how the family lived before Mandela's imprisonment.
Is Desmond Tutu's former home also open to visitors?
Tutu's former home is privately owned and not generally open as a museum, though it remains a recognised landmark along the street.
Is Vilakazi Street a popular tourist destination today?
Yes — it's one of Soweto's most visited streets, lined with restaurants, craft stalls and historical markers reflecting its significance in South Africa's history.