Take a day to dive deeper into South Africa’s long history of struggle and resilience and discover more about the continent and the world at large. Stop by heritage sites and museums dedicated to telling the stories of struggle, resistance, and unity that the country has built its democracy upon and tracing the history of mankind from way, way back.
Take an extraordinary journey of human discovery at the Wits Origins Centre
Ceremoniously opened by former president Thabo Mbeki in 2006, the Origins Centre is a world-class museum dedicated to the exploration of humankind. The centre houses an extensive collection of southern African rock art in collaboration with Wits University’s Rock Art Research Institute (RARI). Visitors are afforded the opportunity to learn about the earliest images made by humans, and view complex southern African rock art.
Combining cutting-edge technology with the creative vision of artists, exhibits take visitors on a voyage of discovery, which begins with the origins of humankind in Africa, and progresses through the history, symbolism, and technology associated with the various traditions of southern African rock art.
The centre also offers activity days, public lectures and walkabouts regularly throughout the year, so keep an eye out for some interesting things that might be taking place all throughout Heritage Month.
Cost: R40pp to R500pp, book via Webtickets
When: Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm | Saturdays, 9am to 4pm
Where: Yale Road &, 1 Enoch Sontonga Ave, Wits University, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Commemorate the Soweto uprising at the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum
The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum commemorates the role many South African students played in the struggle against Apartheid, and in particular, the school children who took part in the Soweto protests of 1976. The museum is next to the memorial, and the whole area has been declared a national heritage site. Visitors move along a series of ramps and look through strategically placed windows at important scenes of the uprising, including the Orlando Stadium and police station.
Exhibits include television footage of the Soweto uprising, as well as oral testimonies, pictures, audiovisual displays and historical documents relating to the events of 1976. Background is provided about the reasons for the protests, with illustrations depicting what happened in their aftermath.
Cost: R10pp to R50pp
When: Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 5pm
Where: 8287 Khumalo Rd, Orlando West, Johannesburg
Discover the Mandela family history and legacy at Mandela House
Built in 1945, Mandela House was commissioned as part of a Johannesburg City tender for new houses in Orlando. Whilst tiny in structure, its testimony of the family’s struggles for a free South Africa is large. In 1999, the house was awarded the status of a public heritage site, with Nelson Mandela as the Founder Trustee.
Now, the house is fitted with a Visitor Centre and exhibition installations designed specifically for the preservation, presentation, and research of the historical heritage and Mandela Family legacy. Stop by and travel back in time, becoming immersed in the memory of one of South Africa’s most important struggle journeys.
Cost: R40pp to R180pp | Free (children u/7)
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4.45pm
Where: 8115 Vilakazi St, Orlando West, Johannesburg
Take a deeper look into the history of Apartheid at the Apartheid Museum
The Apartheid Museum is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world that focuses on South Africa’s Apartheid era. Visitors receive a comprehensive education on this important history with exhibits that include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of that horrific period of our history.
The Museum features permanent exhibitions that trace this history from its very beginnings to the post-democratic period. Every so often they also put together temporary exhibitions that delve a bit deeper into important figures or events from the Apartheid and post-Apartheid eras.
Cost: R60pp to R175pp, book via Webtickets
When: Wednesdays to Sundays, 9am to 5pm
Where: Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road, Johannesburg
Honour fallen heroes at the Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct
The Sharpeville Memorial and Exhibition Centre, also known as the Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct, commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre which took place on 21 March 1960, and resulted in the lives of 69 peaceful protestors being taken. Stop by the memorial and honour those who died on that day.
Township tours are also offered by the nearby Vaal Teknorama Museum (Vaaltek), located in Vereeniging. Booking is required.
Cost: Prices on Request for township tours at 016 451 3786
When: Mondays to Fridays, 7.45am to 4.15pm
Where: Zwane St, Sharpeville
Uncover Johannesburg’s hidden tales on the Hidden History Tour
Take a walking adventure through Johannesburg’s lesser-known history on a Hidden History Tour starting three stories below ground level in one of the oldest preserved mine tunnels in the city – Ferreira’s mine. From there, walkers get to explore the places and characters that shaped the expansions and development of Johannesburg, making it the ‘City of Gold’ it is known to be today.
Cost: R250pp, book via Time Traveller Adventures
When: The second Sunday of each month (check website)
Where: Starts at Newton Junction, Newtown, Johannesburg
Learn about the history of the City of Gold at Museum Africa
Museum Africa offers a deep dive into the evolution of the city of Johannesburg, with permanent displays that focus on the history of the city in the 20th century. The museum’s principal permanent exhibition is “Johannesburg Transformations” which examines some of the momentous changes that have swept through the city in the last century.
Other features include a WWI-dedicated exhibition revealing South Africa’s own role in the war, an exhibition highlighting parts of Johannesburg that are closely associated with Mahatma Ghandi, the Bensusan Museum of Photography and Library, and the Geology Museum.
Cost: Free
When: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Where: 121 Lilian Ngoyi St, Newtown, Johannesburg
Journey through the development of humans and our ancestors at the Maropeng Visitor Centre
Pay a visit to the award-winning, world-class Maropeng Visitor Centre at the Cradle of Humankind and learn about how humankind was born, and view stone tools and fossils that are up to one million years old. There is a self-guided, interactive tour that allows visitors take all the time needed to ponder humanity’s fascinating origin story.
Cost: R125pp to R540pp, book via Webtickets
When: Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm
Where: Official Visitor Centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site, 2MM7+42 Krugersdorp
Get an up-close look at fossils at the Bothongo Wondercave
Travel to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and explore the single chamber Bothongo Wonder Cave, situated deep under the Witwatersrand. Here, visitors can explore fossils of rodents and birds among other small animals as well as witness beautiful rock formations.
Wondercave offers a variety of tours and entrance is by guided tour only. With an option of a day tour, a night tour and an opportunity to experience an 18m abseil, visitors can enjoy this experience to its full extent. Facilities at the Wondercave also include a curio shop selling arts and crafts and a limited braai area.
Cost: R260pp to R320pp | Free (kids u/5) | Book via Activitar
When: Tuesdays to Sundays | Tues to Fri, 9am to 4pm | Sat, Sun & Public Hols, 9am to 5pm
Where: Kromdraai Road, 520 Kromdraai
Visit the Satyagraha House and take a tour of Mahatma Gandhi’s historic home
Step into history, walking through the doors of the Satyagraha House which peace activist, Mahatma Gandhi, graced the hallways of over a hundred years ago. What was once the habitat of Gandhi is now a uniquely integrated guesthouse and museum experience, simultaneously reviving its original spirit of peaceful reflection while providing innovative contemporary accommodation.
The Satyagraha House forms part of South Africa’s historical heritage and provides a unique glimpse into the life of a historic icon. It is available to be booked for private occasions should guests wish to have the intimate house to themselves for the duration of their stay.
Cost: R200pp | R80pp (scheduled guided visit) | Book a stay via Nightsbridge and organise a scheduled visit via the Satyagraha House website
When: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm and 11am to 3pm (scheduled guided visit)
Where: 15 Pine Rd & Garden Road, Orchard, Johannesburg
Honour South African Heroes at the //hapo Museum: Freedom Park Memorial
Situated on a hill overlooking Pretoria, Freedom Park comprises a series of sites, linked by a spiral pathway that explores culture, heritage, history, indigenous knowledge and spirituality through African architecture, landscaping and sculpture.
The park’s //hapo Museum relays an interactive story of Africa, starting millions of years ago with African legends, then winding its way through history to include the eras of colonisation, industrialisation, nationalism and finally, democracy.
Pay a visit and opt for a self-guided tour or participate in a scheduled guided tour through an extensive history.
Cost: R50pp to R155pp, book via the official website Freedom Park
When: Mondays to Sundays, 8am to 4.30pm
Where: Corner Koch & 7th Ave, Salvokop, Pretoria
See permanent exhibitions of Anglo-Boer War objects and furniture at Fort Klapperkop
Fort Klapperklop is a heritage site that has been restored with historical accuracy and arranged as a museum featuring exhibitions of Anglo-Boer War objects and furniture. The site is regarded as one of the best examples of the 19th century weaponry defences in the world and has an unusual German-style dry moat and drawbridge. Originally built in 1898, it features displays of historical weaponry and artifacts. Its rooms include an ammunition section, a hospital, and machine and telegraph rooms.
Apart from the museum, the fort also houses a stable complex, picnic areas, an old steam locomotive which was used during the Anglo-Boer War, the last tram used in Pretoria, and a commemorative war statue – Troepie statue.
Cost: Prices vary | Contact the museum directly at [email protected] or by calling them at +27 12 346 7703 / +27 12 346 8847
When: Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am to 3pm
Where: Johann Rissik Dr, rylaan, Pretoria
