Cultural museums

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South African Cultural Museums

In a diverse population such as South Africa’s, culture is both a uniting force and a point of difference. South African cultural museums provide explanations.

Reconstructed traditional Zulu homestead, Kwazulu Cultural Museum

KwaZulu Cultural Museum, Ulundi

A cultural museum at Ulundi in KwaZulu-Natal not only records the past of the Zulu nation, but looks at the effect of modern influences.

Bo-Kaap Museum in Cape Town

The Bo-Kaap, location of the Cape’s Islamic community, represents a colourful culture and a rich, but painful, history. The story is told at Bo-Kaap Museum.

Afrikaans Language Museum, Paarl

Three continents came together in the formation of the Afrikaans language. These influences are detailed at the Afrikaans Language Monument in the town of Paarl.

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MuseumAfricA

In Johannesburg is an African museum that explores the growth of South Africa’s economic engine, the City of Gold. MuseumAfricA traces the growth of Johannesburg.

Huguenot Memorial Museum, Franschhoek

In our own ‘corner of France’, Franschhoek, the Huguenot Memorial Museum tells the tale of religious exiles fleeing persecution, in search of a new life.

District Six Museum

The District Six Museum in Cape Town not only relates the story of a vibrant, racially-mixed community living in peace, it challenges historical misconceptions.

National Cultural History Museum, Pretoria

Clay figurines thousands of years old unearthed from the ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe are displayed at the National Cultural History Museum in Pretoria.

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Museum Africa is currently repositioning itself as a cultural history facility.

The Liliesleaf Farm Museum in Johannesburg.

Capricorn district tourism attractions include the Bakone Malapa Museum.

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Cultural Museums

South African Museum and Planetarium, Cape Town

Situated in the Company Gardens alongside other significant national cultural institutions, the museum is known for its excellent displays on the Khoisan.
District Six, Cape Town

Commemorates the once-vibrant mixed-race community of District Six, forcibly evicted from their homes during the apartheid era.
Gold of Africa Museum, Cape Town

Traces the African continent’s relationship with gold and the history of gold-smithing. There are hundreds of artefacts on view, associated with ancient African civilisations
Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg

Portrays the trials of daily life under apartheid and highlights its most oppressive episodes. A world-class museum with interactive exhibits.
Origins Centre, Johannesburg

A new star on Johannesburg’s cultural horizon, this museum located at the University of the Witwatersrand explores human ancestry, bringing to life the oldest-known inhabitants of South Africa, the San.
Kimberley Mine Museum, Kimberley

A reconstruction of Kimberley in the 1880s with a diamond digging feature suited to children, set alongside the Big Hole.
Museum Africa, Johannesburg

Details the development of the city of Johannesburg. Highlights include the Ghandi exhibit, the display on Sophiatown and the Treason Trial display.
SA National Museum of Military History, Johannesburg

From small arms to armoured vehicles to some of the rarest military aircraft in the world, this museum looks at wars fought by South Africans, and commemorates those who gave their lives in battle
Transvaal Museum, Pretoria

Tons of natural history to explore with something to interest visitors of all ages. A walk back into time.
Cape Town Holocaust Centre, Cape Town

On the grounds of the city’s Great Synagogue, the museum draws parallels between all struggles against oppression. The South African Jewish Museum is also located on the property.