About District Six Museum

Visit the District Six and there is every chance of you getting emotionally moved. Established in memory of 60,000 inhabitants forced out of their homes during the authoritarian political system that brought nothing but unjust segregation among the people of South Africa, the District Six Museum represents the physical and spiritual trail left by its original rightful owners who all had a story to tell; and they still do. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa, from 1948 until the early 1990s. It was characterized by an authoritarian political culture based on white supremacy, which encouraged the repression of Black and Asian people. The economic and social effects of apartheid continue to the present day in many places. District Six recites the painful histories from Apartheid Africa. It treasures the historic remnants of the coerced movement of 60,000 inhabitants from various races living in District Six of Cape Town during this period. Today, in District Six, we can see the houses of these 60,000 inhabitants; the letters they have written, etc. in its pristine form. This museum, in 2003, was honored with the  Prince Claus Award of Netherlands. 

The museum is a testimony of a dark history that marked the beginning of a new era and allowed for new ideologies to surface, everywhere in the World. You will notice notes left by previous inhabitants whose memories of their home is rather bittersweet: their marks on the floors indicate the location of their homes and where their life had unfolded to be a beautiful one until they were overtaken by a selfish and unjustified movement of merciless separation. This Museum is part of these people’s lives, in both a former and current way, home of broken dreams that they get to relive, somehow, thanks to all the visitors that pay their respect to what was once someone’s home, sweet home. 

Must See

  • It treasures the historic remnants of the coerced movement of 60,000 inhabitants from various races living in District Six of Cape Town during the period of  Apartheid in South Africa
  •  District Six Museum houses vast amounts of information on the history and memories of the past
  •  Maps, photographs, and other old collectibles
  • Site walks and museum tours

How to reach

It is 650 meters from the city center

By Walk:

You can walk to the museum

The nearest stations to District Six Museum are:

Lower Buitenkant is 166 meters away, 3 min walk

The Castle is 279 meters away, 4 min walk

Tips

  • Parking is not available
  • Walking is the best option as it is very close to the city center
  • Carry enough drinking water as tap water isn't consumable
  • Pets are not allowed
  • Smoking is not permitted
  • Do not touch anything on display
  • Heavy baggage will not be allowed inside
  • Kids may get a little bored here
  • A  very informative and thought-provoking place to visit
  • A very organized place to understand the history of Cape town
  •  A must visit in Cape Town along with Robben Island and Table Mountain
  • The museum stores many inscriptions, maps, and photographs of the ancient period
  • Photography not allowed inside the museum
  • Many local food restaurants nearby the Museum

Visit Time

Sunday:         Closed
Monday:         9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday:        9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday:   9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday:       9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday:            9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday:        9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

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Waiting Time

No

 

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Entrance Fee

Yes

Entry Fee:                

Adult:                               R40

Children:                          R15

Walking Tours:                 R80 to R100

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Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

2 to 3 hours

 

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Weather

Broken Clouds 22.61°C

 

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