What to do and see in Greater Johannesburg, Gauteng: The Best History Museums

May 27, 2021 Carley Gatson

Discover the best top things to do in Greater Johannesburg, South Africa including Wozobona Cultural House, Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre, Lesedi Cultural Village, Hector Pieterson Museum, Liliesleaf, Nelson Mandela Foundation, Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct, Origins Centre Museum, Museum Africa, Roodepoort Museum.
Restaurants in Greater Johannesburg

1. Wozobona Cultural House

976 Phiela Street, Soweto, Johannesburg 1804 South Africa +27 73 179 8304 [email protected] http://wozobona.wordpress.com/
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5.0 based on 4 reviews

Wozobona Cultural House

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!!

2. Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre

1 Duncombe Road, Forest Town Intersection Jan Smuts Avenue, Opposite the Westcliff Hotel, Johannesburg 2193 South Africa +27 11 640 3100 [email protected] http://www.jhbholocaust.co.za
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5.0 based on 15 reviews

Johannesburg Holocaust & Genocide Centre

The JHGC, in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, moved into its iconic new building of memory, education and lessons for humanity in mid-2016 and officially opened to the public in March 2019, with the completion of its Permanent Exhibition. The Centre explores the history of the Holocaust and genocide in the 20th century.

Reviewed By Giselle1106 - Pasadena, United States

One of the wonderful volunteers took the time to guide me through this great museum and explain the unique features of the architecture devised by listening to the wishes of the survivors. The visit is extremely moving. Since the museum aims to be educational there is no required entrance fee. Voluntary contributions are gladly accepted. Visiting this museum should be a must for everybody interested in human history and its aberrations.

3. Lesedi Cultural Village

Portion 198 Of Farm no 493 Off the R512, Lanseria 1748 South Africa +27 12 205 1394 http://aha.co.za/lesedi
Excellent
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4.5 based on 429 reviews

Lesedi Cultural Village

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. Hector Pieterson Museum

8287 Khumalo St, Soweto, Johannesburg South Africa +27 11 536 2253 http://www.gauteng.net/attractions/hector_pieterson_memorial_and_museum
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4.5 based on 538 reviews

Hector Pieterson Museum

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

5. Liliesleaf

7 George Avenue, Rivonia, Sandton 2191 South Africa +27 11 803 7882 [email protected] http://www.liliesleaf.co.za
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4.5 based on 286 reviews

Liliesleaf

Reviewed By mandr268 - Westport, Ireland

this was a great visit so much to learn and so well presented, unfortunately our tour was too short, so if ever we are in SA again we will definitely be back

6. Nelson Mandela Foundation

107 Central Street Houghton, Johannesburg 2198 South Africa +27 11 547 5626 [email protected] http://www.nelsonmandela.org/
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4.5 based on 13 reviews

Nelson Mandela Foundation

The Nelson Mandela Foundation houses the last office of President Nelson Mandela which forms part of an exhibition documenting his life. The Exhibition entitled the Life and Times of Nelson Mandela includes a short video documenting his life and a range of artefacts and documents from his private archive.The jackal kaross that he wore during his 1962 court appearance is a special feature and is on loan from Winnie Madikizela- Mandela The temporary exhibition space is occupied by various exhibitions throughout the year.The exhibitions responds to contemporary issues.

7. Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

11 Kotze Street, Johannesburg 2001 South Africa +27 11 381 3100 [email protected] http://www.constitutionhill.org.za/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,566 reviews

Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct

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.

8. Origins Centre Museum

Corner Yale and Enoch Sontonga Roads University of the Witwatersrand, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2050 South Africa +27 11 717 4700 [email protected] http://www.wits.ac.za/origins/
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4.5 based on 245 reviews

Origins Centre Museum

Africa is where our ancestors evolved into human beings; it’s only fitting then that the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa, is where the Origins Centre Museum has been established. Conceptualised by a team of academics and designers from Wits University, the museum aims to provide visitors with a unique experience of Africa’s rich, complex heritage. The Museum boasts an extensive collection of rock art from the Wits Rock Art Research Institute (RARI), affording visitors the opportunity to view the earliest images made by humans, found in South Africa. Combining cutting-edge technology with the creative vision of some of South Africa’s foremost artists, the museum’s exhibits take visitors on an extraordinary voyage of discovery, which begins with the origins of humankind in Africa, and then moves through the development of art, symbolism, and technology on the continent. The Origins Centre Museum restores the African continent to its rightful place in history – at the very beginning of mankind’s journey to humanity. We are also home to a vast array of palaeoanthropological, archaeological and genetic materials charting the origins of humankind. These include ancient tools, artefacts of spiritual significance to early humans and examples of the region’s striking rock art. Visitors to our museum can expect to take follow an 80 000-year path in search of the art and culture that has inspired human innovation, as well as delve into the fascinating beliefs of the ancient San, experiencing ritual such as hunting and the trance dance. Audio guides come with the price of admission and are available in six languages – Zulu, Sotho, English, Afrikaans, French and German.

Reviewed By rohitn42

Wonderful museum contains a lot information and an intriguing look at our ancient origins. Must visit.

9. Museum Africa

121 Bree Street Newtown, Johannesburg 2092 South Africa +27 11 833 5624 http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/entry/article-southafrica.net-museum-africa
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3.0 based on 83 reviews

Museum Africa

Located in the busy Newtown Cultural Precinct, this multi-media museum includes an audio/visual display of Nelson Mandela’s treason trial.

Reviewed By Worldexp53 - New York City, United States

This museum covers a variety of eclectic historical items from Africa. Really fantastic old camera collection. Very charming. There is no restaurant at this museum so don’t plan on eating there. Interesting graffiti near museum. Not in the best part of town. During the day is fine but not the greatest at night. The museum guard was kind enough to wait with me for my car service to show up to make sure I was safe.

10. Roodepoort Museum

Civic Centre, Christiaan de Wet Rd, Roodepoort, Johannesburg, 1725, Roodepoort 1709 South Africa +27 11 761 0226 http://www.joburg.co.za/roodepoort-museum/
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

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