
MM Editor•Apr 19, 2026
Apartheid Museum — Johannesburg's 50-Year Record of Racial Segregation
At a Glance
The Apartheid Museum south of Johannesburg opened November 2001 to document South Africa's 1948–1994 racial segregation system and its overthrow. Over 250,000 visitors a year.
Segregation at the Entrance
Visitors randomly receive "White" or "Non-White" tickets, entering through separate doors and corridors before meeting inside — a visceral design choice.
Highlights
- Colonial history from 1652.
- Original apartheid laws, pass books, whites-only signs.
- Nelson Mandela room with letters and prison clothes.
- 1976 Soweto uprising and Hector Pieterson.
- 1994 first democratic election materials.
Visiting Tips
15-min cab from downtown Johannesburg. R150. 3–4 hours. Closed Mondays. Pair with Constitution Hill.