Johannesburg Museums

Apartheid’s Museum

This important museum is a valuable means of conveying what apartheid was, the extraordinary length and pettiness of its reach and the drama of the low level civil war it unleashed in African townships during the 1980’s and 90’s.  The presentation has a strong news documentary flavour with fascinating footage of the Rivonia trial, BBC interviews of a young Mandela operating underground and the irresistible tide of grassroots resistance which followed the Soweto uprising. 

MANDELA FAMILY HOME MUSEUM

Situated in Orlando West in Vilikazi street.  It is the house in which Nelson and Winnie lived before his arrest and to which Winnie went when she defied her banning order to the Free State town of Brandfort.
It is a tiny matchbox size house.  The house has been renovated but still has evidence of petrol bombs that exploded and bullet marks.  A wall inside the house and a fence on the outside were built especially as a protection against attack.  The house is full of photographs of the Mandela family and certificates of honorary degrees awarded to Mr Mandela.In the main bedroom is the traditional jackal-skin kaross of the Tembu clan that Mandela wore in the courtroom during the 1962 Rivonia trial.

Museum Africa

This museum is housed in the former fresh produce market with its main focus South African history. Other displays include the pre-gold rush history of the San and stone-age Tswana-speaking people and the city’s geological profile.
Opened in 1994 it reflects all periods on Johannesburg’s history.  A special exhibition is called “Tried for Treason” highlighting the treason trial that took place between 1956 and 1959.
The exhibition titled “ The road to Democracy” depicts South Africa’s most recent history.  San (Bushman) art has a special place in Museum Africa as well as the Bensusan Photographic Museum which illustrates the development of photography both within and beyond the borders of South Africa.  A curio shop, bar and a moderately priced restaurant can be found near the entrance.
 

HECTOR PETERSON MUSEUM

Named after the first victim of the Soweto uprising, who was killed shortly after police opened fire on pupils marching to protest against being taught in Afrikaans.  It is situated at the spot where the young boy was shot on 16 June 1976.  The exhibition includes famous pictures by Sam Nzima of the wounded Hector Peterson carried by Mbuyisa Makhubu and accompanied by Hector’s sister, Thandi.Various video shows are on display throughout the museum, covering different aspects of the apartheid history.