Apartheid Museum

What a great experience, and a sobering one too. We moved through the galleries slowly, reading, listening, and letting the story build room by room. The way the exhibits are laid out—photos, film, letters, everyday objects—makes it feel personal and real rather than distant history. We barely spoke for long stretches; it’s one of those places that asks you to pay attention and you do. Outside and in the open spaces we took a few breaths, looked back at the steel and concrete lines of the building, and felt the weight of it all in a good way—honest, necessary, human. We left quiet and thoughtful, grateful we’d made the time. It’s not a quick stop, but it’s the one we’ll remember.

I visited the Apartheid Museum during my short stay in Johannesburg. The museum was interesting, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations. There weren’t as many historical artifacts or organized exhibits as I had hoped. Still, I’m glad I had the chance to visit and learn more about South Africa’s history. The entrance fee was 170 South African rand as of October 18, 2025.

Absolutely worth a visit. Very well done. Stop to read and learn. I also watched all videos along the route. Ended up spending 4 hours in the museum. Excellent work by the organisers.

Quick Takeaways 🏛️ Impressive, modern museum documenting South Africa’s apartheid era 📍 Located in Ormonde, Johannesburg — adjacent to Gold Reef City 🚗 Safe, accessible area with ample parking and good transport links (car, taxi, bus, or guided tour) 💬 Everyone speaks fluent English; signage and staff communication are easy 🕊️ Immersive exhibits tell South Africa’s story from apartheid’s origins to its abolition 📽️ Powerful use of artefacts, videos, and photography — deeply emotional and thought-provoking 🧭 Layout can be confusing — follow the large vertical black signs to stay on route ☕ Good café with friendly staff and outdoor seating; local food and wildlife nearby 🛍️ Gift shop is overpriced but offers quality books, clothing, and standard souvenirs ⏱️ Allow 1–2 hours to visit fully 🙏 A sobering, essential experience that powerfully portrays South Africa’s long struggle for freedom ⸻ Full Review The Apartheid Museum is a striking and modern site that powerfully documents one of the darkest yet most defining periods in South African history. Located in Ormonde, Johannesburg, beside Gold Reef City, the area is relatively safe for tourists — especially during the day. While Johannesburg does have a reputation for crime, this particular location is well policed and well maintained. It’s accessible by car, taxi, bus, or tour, and at no point did I feel unsafe. I wouldn’t say there are zero risks — as with any large city, awareness is important — but tourist-related crime here is very low. If you drive, there’s ample, clearly marked parking only a short walk from the entrance. Ticketing is straightforward, with friendly staff who all speak fluent English, and prices are reasonable. From the very beginning, the museum immerses you in the ideology of segregation that defined apartheid. The entrance itself symbolically separates visitors by race — an immediate and sobering reminder of the injustice at the system’s core. From there, the exhibits guide you chronologically through apartheid’s origins, enforcement, resistance, and eventual dismantling. The displays are rich and varied, using a mix of artefacts, documents, photographs, films, and oral histories to tell the story. The presentation is impactful and emotional, with several areas that are genuinely moving. Many visitors — myself included — found certain sections deeply affecting, with some visibly in tears. The layout can be a little confusing, so make sure to follow the large black vertical signs to avoid missing key parts of the exhibition. Most of the museum is indoors, though there are a few outdoor installations, a small garden area, and a café with outside seating. If it rains, it won’t impact the experience, as the majority of the exhibits are housed inside. The café, though modest in appearance, serves good coffee and light snacks. The staff are friendly and happy to chat — one told me about the locally sourced food and the wildlife around the site, sparked by a conversation about weaver birds nesting above the café seating area. The gift shop is perhaps the weakest part of the experience — it’s expensive, but it does stock a good range of high-quality books, clothing, and South African-themed accessories, alongside the usual souvenirs. Overall, the Apartheid Museum is a must-visit. It’s emotional, educational, and unforgettable. You can easily spend one to two hours here, though you might linger longer if you want to take everything in. It’s a sobering reminder of how far South Africa has come — and a testament to the resilience, pain, and triumph of those who fought for freedom.

Buckle up for +1h of deep dive into the story of South African human foolishness way of thinking and treating pairs as folk... The museum immerse the visitors so well that at the end you may feel the weights of those stories and appreciate the efforts made to tell them. We highly recommend this stop when you're in Jozy.

An exceptional museum. Very well curated. This museum is designed as a journey - it tells a difficult and painful story through powerful content, images, and videos. It’s also incredibly inspiring. Change is possible! Highly recommend. I arrived right as they opened at 9am and had the entire museum to myself for most of my visit.

The sequence in the museum is well organized. However it provides very graphic demonstrations of historical events. One needs to be prepared for some of the scenes. The history of Apartheid is gut renching. Man's inhumanity to man. Nelson Mandela was a remarkable human being. It's sad that his legacy of liberty and equality and dignity for all 😢 was not sustained to present day.

We went with our 9yo son to teach him about apartheid when we had a chance to go to Johannesburg after my husband’s meeting. I feel so lucky to be able to visit this museum because it’s different from reading about this in books. Here we are where it actually happened. The museum is well made. I only have a few pictures coz photo taking inside is not allowed. But there were so many people taking photos. This is basically an indoor outdoor museum so go when the weather is nice. The outdoor spaces are beautiful and reflective. If you want to finish the museum in 1.5hrs read the black metal signs. If you want to read also the gray metal signs, it will take you 3hrs minimum. We also learned so much about Nelson Mandela & Desmond Tutu (temporary exhibition). And it’s museums like this where humanity can safeguard our future to say never again. There are portions or screens that are too violent or disturbing for children and sensitive viewers but there was enough warning that I avoided them with my son. The toilet is quite interesting design wise. And at the end there’s a gift shop and a restaurant.