District Six Museum
"Give us some of the background before we step inside the museum.District Six was a vibrant, mixed-race community in Cape Town until its residents were forcibly evicted by the apartheid government in the 1970s. The original residents have dispersed far and wide, and now this intimate museum stands as a memorial to them. The entire collection of the two-story venue is created from personal artifacts of former residents: pictures, artwork, letters, news clippings, and narrations recorded on tape. While it's certainly not off the beaten path, many first timers or those on a tight schedule don't make it here, prioritizing Robben Island instead. But a visit makes for a poignant counterpart to Robben Island, allowing you to understand some of what common people endured during apartheid. Got it. So what will we find inside?It's a wide-reaching mix: personal mementos of people who lived in District Six or things that were popular at the time—lots of pictures and personal touches to illustrate how diverse and vibrant the neighborhood once was. There's a recreated bedroom, a beauty parlor, and other quotidian elements to help you visualize life in that era. Then there are also newspaper stories explaining what happened next, as well as moving stories and recollections from former residents about the pain they experienced when they were forced out of their homes. What were the physical grounds of the museum like?The space is intimate, but open and airy: The exhibitions occupy the ground floor and on an upstairs balcony. The museum is very clearly marked and easy to navigate. It isn't that big; you basically round each of the two levels in a circle, so it's hard to go astray. Who else was browsing the collection with you?Mostly out-of-town visitors. The museum is never too crowded; rather, it's always quiet and comfortable to move through. You can go as quickly or slowly as you want. Tell us about the museum tour.Tours cost a nominal fee: about a dollar on top of the regular ticket is 40 rand, or $3, admission fee. Guides are typically former residents, which makes an already personal experience that much more personal. If we're crunched for time, how best can we strategize a visit?You can breeze through the two laps, read a few captions and news reports, and still get a general understanding of the community's struggles." - Sarah Khan
