District Six Museum Travel Guide: Top Sights in South africa, Tours &

⁰

District Six Museum- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; South Africa; 5 Reviews

+3 Photos

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

The District Six Museum, located in an old Methodist church in Cape Town, South Africa, serves as a powerful testament to the forced displacement of 60,000 residents from the vibrant mixed-race community of District Six during the Apartheid era in the 1970s. Established in 1994 by the District Six Foundation, the museum meticulously documents this tumultuous chapter in history, offering visitors a poignant glimpse into the past. Upon entering, guests are welcomed by a large floor map marked with handwritten notes from former residents, indicating their homes and personal stories, including those of renowned jazz musician Abdullah Ibrahim. The museum's diverse collection includes artifacts like old traffic signs and historical records, each contributing to the rich narrative of District Six. Beyond preserving history, the museum actively engages with the community through programs focused on redevelopment, housing, and the arts, fostering mutual respect and coexistence among diverse racial identities. Recognized internationally with the Prince Claus Award in 2003, the District Six Museum stands as a vital institution in Cape Town, promoting cultural preservation and community-building while highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

Operators offering tours in South Africa

Attractions in Cape Town

Table Mountain

V&A Waterfront

4.6

Bakoven Beach

Boulder

4.6

Cape Point

Cape of Good Hope

4.8

Cape Town Diamond Museum

Cape Town Science Centre

4.2

Reviews of District Six Museum

Mrs Whitley (Lissa)

4
Reviewed: 2024-07-27

Was very informative and helpful to understand the history of the locals. Just amazing what people endure. Glad I stopped and educated myself. The place is small and about a 20 minute stop.
Lerato Mkwanazi

5
Reviewed: 2024-06-10

Had a walk about on a Monday morning and it was educational , heart-wrenching , informative and a good way to learn the history of the area A large museum with alot to see and good books for sale . Informed curators and beautiful exhibits! It's definitely a must see
hcbekardi

3
Reviewed: 2024-05-01

Expected more during my visit. Wanted to really get educated on this period of their history but it was not the case. Needs an update for sure. It’s probably best you do more research about this dark period before visiting the museum.
Roger Mullens

3
Reviewed: 2024-03-22

It is interesting to learn about the history of Cape Town, but I was missing a more capturing introduction to the museum. I know that you can request a guided tour, but just a video would have been great to get deeper in the story of what happened with District 6. Besides that I was trying to find structure in what I saw, but it took me a long time before I could start placing patt of what I has seen in the general story. A massive advise I'd give is to educate yourself on District 6 before you go to the museum. If I had not looked thing up on internet during my visit, I would not have been able to follow the haplenings displayed in the museum.
lamise inglis

4
Reviewed: 2023-12-10

The District Six museum has a special significance for me as my dad and mom grew up there. It was such a lovely experience to have him walk down memory lane and teach my kids about his experiences.