Johannesburg Museums, The Apartheid Route

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.

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.