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TThe Luthuli Museum is in the KwaZulu-Natal home of late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Chief Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli (1898-1967), in the small town of Groutville outside Stanger in the KwaDukuza local municipality, about a 45-minute drive north-east of Durban. The essence of this African National Congress legend’s anti-apartheid struggle is captured via photographs, newspaper clippings and mementos of South Africa’s turbulent past.
This historic museum in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal sugar-cane country was officially opened in August 2004. It incorporates Chief Albert Luthuli’s home, built in 1927 and later declared a national monument. The street in which the museum is located, Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, is named after the chief’s wife.
Manicured lawns and shady trees welcome visitors to the museum and provide a serene setting in which to reflect on the achievements of one of South Africa’s most influential political figures.
Among the many displays are a variety of photographs of early anti-apartheid veterans of the day, including Luthuli. A striking, life-size replica figure of the chief sits on a chair just inside the front door of the museum, maintaining a palpable presence many years after his death.
Adjacent to the homestead is a modern interpretative centre that hosts temporary art and cultural exhibitions. The Luthuli Museum also provides customised educational tours for student groups, as well as art and poetry programmes.
In his autobiography Let My People Go, Luthuli described himself as a ‘compulsive football fan’. With this in mind, an outdoor soccer exhibition illustrating his interest in the beautiful game and his administrative role in the sport has been assembled by the Luthuli Museum.
The first African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize – in 1960, in recognition of his non-violent resistance against apartheid – Chief Albert Luthuli has been described as ‘a leader ahead of his time’. He left behind a powerful legacy of non-violence, non-racialism, democracy and respect for human rights.
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TTravel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Luthuli Museum
Tel: +27 (0)32 559 6822
Email: profficer@luthulimuseum.org.za
How to get here
The Luthuli Museum is located at 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, KwaDukuza. From Durban travel north on the N2, taking the Groutville off-ramp. Follow the Groutville Link Road until the T-junction, then turn right onto the R102. Take the first left into Nokukhanya Luthuli Road. The museum is on the left.
Best time to visit
The Luthuli Museum is open Mondays to Saturdays from 8.30am to 4pm, and Sundays and public holidays 11am to 3pm.
Get around
Self-drive, so that you can make a visit to the museum part of your exploration of KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast.
Around the area
The Dolphin Coast beaches of Umdloti, Ballito and Shaka’s Rock, and several nature reserves encompassing forest, wetland, beach and scrub habitats. The Nonoti Estuary is a wetland birders’ paradise and a highlight of the North Coast Birding Route – plus the area has golf courses and country clubs aplenty.
Tours to do
The rare, wet, highland rain forest of Nkandla is home to cycads, tree ferns and enough bird species to get a twitcher syncopating, so it’s well worth the 2-hour drive from Groutville for 140km on the N2 and R66. It’s best seen on a tour with a local guide, though, so contact the Zululand Birding Route (link below) for booking details.
What will it cost?
Entry to the Luthuli Museum is free, but visitors are welcome to make a donation.
Length of stay
An hour or two is sufficient to stroll through the house and adjacent exhibition centre.
Where to stay
The Dolphin Coast of KwaZulu-Natal has accommodation catering to all budgets, from backpackers, guesthouses and B&Bs, to hotels and resorts rated from 1 to 5 stars.
What’s happening?
Various photographic and art exhibitions are on view at the centre next to the museum.
Best buys
The museum has a limited supply of postcards, booklets and curios for sale.
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