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10 History Museums in South Africa That You Shouldn't Miss
in the African Union (light blue)
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1. Janine Iron and Washing Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 23 reviews
The museum consists of more then 640 laundry irons, mostly rare and some only existing examples left. Also more then 50 rare washing machines and mangles dated back from the 1800, some are claimed to be of the only remaining in the world. The museum are packed with other rare antique laundry related items. Some non-laundry related items are also included.
Reviewed By 46sharonu - Centurion, South Africa
Make sure you see the video prior to browsing through this wonderful museum. Spent a good hour and a half here and we were amazed at the thoughtfullness that has gone into putting this collection together. Both my hubby and my kids (teenagers) found this to be a hidden gem! If you're in the area you should give it a try, you wont be disappointed!
2. Wozobona Cultural House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
The community always stood as one and ubuntu was alive and real. Wozobona Cultural House is dedicated to the memory of those times and honours all the heroes of that time. The complete tour includes a township meal, a tour detailing the life during the struggle and wonderful true stories from that time. Have a look at the museum display and listen to the soothing and unique music of the time.
Reviewed By R4618XOmartinm
Warmth, love, pleasure and good food for both stomach and thought.... Stories of yester years from the host herself, what a beautiful lady, mama Lindi, both inside and outside. We liked having the place all to ourselves and felt like royalty!! Wozobona...come see the real msawawa!!
3. Lesedi Cultural Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 429 reviews
This attraction north of Johannesburg attempts to show busloads of tourists how the Lesedi tribe lives and works.
Reviewed By kimberli2020 - Lehigh Valley, United States
the half-day tour and lunch far exceeded my expectations - i definitely recommend. wasn't quite sure what to expect, and was more than pleasantly surprised. the lesedi performers are an incredibly knowledgeable, talented, hard working, friendly team. from the moment you arrive and experience their warm, traditional welcomes, you're in for a treat. the tour begins with a very engaging presentation and short documentary film. next comes a walking tour of their living museum, comprised of several traditional village set-ups. as you walk across the beautiful campus, you meet performers playing the roles of chiefs, warriors, and families who welcome you to each village. they demonstrate different components of everyday traditional life in an informative and fun way. the tour ends with a dance show where performers demonstrate different celebrations and ceremonies from several area tribes. and, if you opt for a meal afterwards, then you are treated to some tasty local cuisine! i found it to be a very enjoyable day well spent. i left with a smile on my face and recommend this experience for sure!
4. The Stellenbosch Village Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 373 reviews
Reviewed By Peter_guest - London, United Kingdom
A quartet of historic houses in the centre of Stellenbosch form this fascinating museum. Each one is historically furnished and takes the visitor back over centuries of local history. These are some of the oldest and best-preserved buildings in South Africa, well worth a visit.
5. Hector Pieterson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
This tragic museum, opened in 2002, honors the Sowetan schoolchildren slain in a police massacre in 1976.
Reviewed By janephere - Benjamin, United States
A well preserved historical account of extreme brutality against black youth, especially primary and secondary school children who seek to preserve their rights and voices in peaceful manner. Such large scale brutality and crime against humanity where thousands of these children were murdered in cold blood. This is a story of the Soweto uprising, this is the story of infant tears and blood. May the souls represented by those walls rest in peace and bless the land of Africa and its people. I do hope that humanity will never witness this again
6. Anglo Boer War Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
One of the most significant events in the history of South Africa was the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902. Although the protagonists were Britain and the two Boer Republics of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State, the population of South Africa as a whole became embroiled in the war either directly or indirectly. The War Museum in Bloemfontein provides an understanding of the background against which the Anglo-Boer War took place through its unique art collection, dioramas and exhibitions. The course and development of the war unfolds in front of your eyes as you progress through the museum. You are also afforded a glimpse into the life and suffering endured in the concentration and prisoner-of-war camps. We are immensely proud of this historical landmark in South Africa, and urge everyone who wants to understand this part of South African history, to pay us a visit.
Reviewed By waldmeister1 - Aylesbury, United Kingdom
The Museum has an extensive collection of items associated with the Boer War. There are large paintings, the one of the Boers pinned down in the Modder River Banks under fire from the British is very touching when you consider there were women and children there also. It lead of course to the surrender by General Cronje at the battle of Paadeberg. There is an extensive collection of Handicraft items made by the POW's in overseas Camps to which they were "Banished" namely St Helena, Ceylon, India and Bermuda as well as those made in Camps in South Africa. The Women's Monument depicting two women, one holding a baby is very memorable since the ashes of British woman, Emily Hobhouse who did so much to help those suffering during the war are buried there. The recent addition of the lengthy wall, inscribed with the names of the Women and Children who died in the Concentration Camps during Britain's Scorched Earth Policy when farms were burnt and the Women and Children were herded into Concentration Camps with little of no fresh water or medical care is very memorable ! This certainly does not depict the "Best Period" of British History!!
7. Drostdy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 453 reviews
This former government building, an architectural treasure in itself, is now a museum containing some impressive artifacts. Particularly noteworthy is a collection of late 18th and early 19th century Cape furniture.
Reviewed By DannyB_11 - London, United Kingdom
Open air type museum with numerous buildings displaying bygone lifestyles and crafts. Including a magistrates home with courthouse. Lovely couple of hours wander.
8. Groot Drakenstein Prison (Victor Verster Prison)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71 reviews
Home to Nelson Mandela for the last fourteen months of his long political imprisonment, this surprisingly idyllic minimum security prison is now a registered historic site.
9. KwaZulu-Natal Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
KwaZulu-Natal Museum is a popular tourist and educational amenity and acclaimed centre of scholarly research, offers thousands of visitors a feast of attractive, modern and user friendly displays. The KZN Museum is dedicated to increasing understanding of the history of mankind in south-eastern Africa and of the natural world, through the collection, study and display of real objects. The Museum opened its doors on 30 November 1904 and is now home to several of South Africa's most important heritage collections. The collections are of international renown, and feature regional archaeology, African cultural products, European settler history, seashells, insects and other forms of animal life. The KZN Museum is proud to be the custodian of one of the most important collections of Zulu craft objects. The largest national Museum in KwaZulu-Natal, this Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of objects of cultural and scientific value.
Reviewed By luc_victor_jr
Arguably one of the best museums in KZN, the Natal Museum is very well maintained, meticulously set-up and very educational. Its vast resource of information from natural to local history is bountiful, well researched and impeccably documented. The taxidermied animals are amazingly real and the dioramas are life-like. It also has adequate sociological and anthropological information that are sometimes lacking in some other museums. Although this museum is nowhere near the Durban CBD, the drive to Pietermaritzburg is well worth it. The only other issue when visiting the museum is parking where you may have to park down a few blocks and of course, no pictures or food allowed.
10. Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,566 reviews
Nowhere can the story of South Africa's turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Constitution Hill is a national heritage site situated in the Johannesburg CBD and is home to the Constitutional Court of South Africa- the highest court in the country on constitutional matters. Once a place of injustice and brutality, where South Africa's leading political activists, including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, were detained, the site has been transformed into a place of solidarity and democracy, home to the Women's Gaol museum, Number Four Museum, and Old Fort Museum. Apart from its engaging and gripping exhibitions, Constitution Hill is also open to the public for guided tours and has become an important platform for Heritage, Education, and Tourism related programmes. The vast variety of programmes hosted at Constitution Hill enable us to embrace current issues, celebrate days of national significance, address matters of public interest and create a forum for public debate. With its rich history and character Constitution Hill boasts of ideal platforms to educate and learn about South Africa's story. ConHill, as it is famously known, also offers a variety of multi-purpose venues, suitable for conferencing, performances, a large array of events and for public activities and programmes.
Reviewed By Daydream62408959336
A visit to Constitutional Hill is a visit that every person should take more than once if possible, (whether a tourist or a South African). It’s a harrowing and extremely emotional tour for any visitor and not a tour that should be hurried. The tour guides are extremely informative and are to be commended on their extensive knowledge. A visit to the Concourt itself is a must and it’s wonderful to see the highest Court in the land being open to all (you can actually see the goings on through the glass panels if you don’t want to enter the Court itself). There are also many activities, concerts, art exhibitions etc which take place at the Constitutional Hill as well through the year so it comes alive again with music, laughter and joy. Every time you visit Constitutional Hill should not only be a time of quiet reflection on the past which will be tinged with sadness, but also one of hope and positiveness for the future of our wonderful country.
