Museums In Soweto

Hector Pieterson Museum

The Hector Pieterson Museum is located in Orlando, Soweto next to the spot where Hector was shot and killed by the police force on 16 June 1976. Hector was the first victim to die and he was the youngest too. It was reported that only 59 students died during this uprising, however, the actual toll was more than 500 hundred instead. The museum is named in his honour and was unveiled by Mr Nelson Mandela only in the year 2002.

The walkway leading to the entrance is marked with olive trees, which symbolises peace. There are pieces of slate on the floor, each representing a student who died on that day, their names at the side on the inside walls.  As you come inside the museum, you will find pictures and video footage of the event, children turning to their parents, municipal facilities and buildings that were destroyed by fire and stoning. Police retaliated by killing more children, arresting more and assaulting more. The pictures will leave you very emotional.

Visiting Times:  Mon-Sat: 10:00 to 17:00, Sun: 10:00 to 16:00

For more details contact: 011 536 0611

Mandela House Museum

The museum is a very interesting stop-over for those wishing to learn more about the world’s most famous former prisoner. It was opened to preserve the history and legacy of the Mandela family. They lived in this house from 1946 until the early 1990s. The museum tells the story of Mandela’s life at home and on the outside world. This four-roomed museum showcases memorabilia, honorary doctorates bestowed upon Mr Mandela by various universities across the world, arts and crafts, world championship belt given to Mr Mandela by Sugar Ray Leonard, paintings and picture collections of his family.

Visiting Times: Mon- Fri 09:00- 17:00, Weekends: 09:30-16:30

For more details contact: 011 936 4244

Kliptown Museum

The Kliptown museum symbolises people’s right to freedom. This museum tells the story of the freedom charter, which has become the cornerstone of the Bill of rights and the South African constitution. The art on the outside walls and inside the buildings depicts the people who were involved in making history like Professor ZK Matthews of the ANC who came up with the idea of the freedom charter, the thousands of people who witnessed the signing of the charter, you hear songs and narrations play in the background as you walk around the museums.