Soweto is a large sprawling township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, with a population of approximately four million people. The Sisters of Mercy run a large primary and high school here. Nutrition programmes are an integral part of the life of the school and the local community here which enables the pupils to concentrate on their school work and the women to feed their families.

One of the Sisters is the Co-Ordinator of the Strabane Mercy Centre for the Homeless project. In addition to providing a hundred indigent people with food and shelter, the Centre also provides social services. There is an Advice Bureau to assist both residents and non-residents. Help is provided to enable people to get jobs, to apply for disability pensions, child allowances, I.D. documents and housing. The residents are also encouraged to make contact with their families and they are assisted to do so.

A unique method of engaging the youth of the area and in developing their personal growth is the Thabang ka Mmino music project. At present, there are more than a hundred and thirty children in the project. It is rewarding to see the children gain confidence and self-esteem as they develop their various talents and become more and more proficient in playing the instrument of their choice. The children also profit by the discipline which the study of music entails, while the project enables children who are not academically gifted to experience the joy of playing music without undue pressure. It is also hoped that such activities will prevent the young people from being lured by drink and drugs, and enable some of them to find employment by pursuing a career in music.

The pastoral care of the local people is a major concern of the Sisters. To this end, they engage in parish catechetics, prison work and hospital visitation.