Cape Town Museum

18/09/2026

This Heritage Month, come visit our exhibition “District Six: People Lived Here” at the Cape Town Museum Memory Centre. Made possible through a partnership with the Cape Institute for Architecture, the exhibition features photographs by Jansje Wissema, a Dutch photographer commissioned by the Cape Institute of Architects (now the Cape Institute for Architecture) to document District Six in the 1970s when it became clear that the government was planning to demolish the area. Her iconic images of the place and its people today remain as a powerful chronicle of the area, capturing the essence of this lost community.

The Cape Town Museum Memory Centre is situated in the Cape Medical Museum. So come view these unique historic images, share your story if you have any on District 6, and at the same time take the opportunity to view the interesting exhibitions in the Cape Medical Museum. You can find us at the Old City Hospital Complex, Portswood Road, Green Point. For more details about opening times, see https://tinyurl.com/erm9b3vt

11/09/2026

We are having lots of fun at the NAMPO Agricultural Fair in Bredasdorp. If you are in the area, pop in for a chat and explore what museums in the Western Cape have to offer.

10/09/2026

The Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum is looking to hire a Museum Officer. Closing date for application is October 5, 2026. More details at this link https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Mm8PUbkFw0btcbaZ8b17Aoc0TnwC_4sf/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112245870810543539414&rtpof=true&sd=true or email [email protected] for more information.

09/09/2026

The Cape Town Museum and other museums in the Western Cape will be exhibiting at the NAMPO Agricultural Fair in Bredasdorp from 9-12 September. Come visit our tent to find out more about the interesting museums in this province.

28/08/2026

Last weekend, learners from seven schools across the larger Cape Town area took part in a speech competition focusing on “Museums Uniting a Divided World”. Organised annually by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, this regional round was held at the First Nations Heritage Centre in Observatory.

Learners presented thoughtful and inspiring speeches on the topics of History, Memory and Healing; Youth Voice and Belonging; Access and Inclusion; and Culture and Understanding. Our wonderful judges - Benita Alard, Christian Swarbreck and Sivuyile Pharela – had a hard time choosing the winners, but in the end the 1st place went to Siphesihle Moses (Sophumelela High School), 2nd place went to Thato Moaholi (Fezeka High School), and in 3rd place the winner was Aluta Arosi (Oakland High School). Well done to all the participants and congratulations to the winners!

The winners of this regional round will be invited to compete in the provincial round, which will take place in October at the Worcester Museum in Worcester.

We would also like to thank our MC, Yongisipho Mtimkhulu, for guiding us through the engaging speeches and discussions; and our supporters - the City of Cape Town (Rebecca Smart), Ward 86 Councillor Xolani Diniso, and In2Food.

21/08/2026

09/08/2026

With today being Women's Day in South Africa, please check out our digital exhibition “Impactful Women”. It showcases the lives of 12 extraordinary women who lived from the 17th to the 20th centuries. Most of them either lived or worked in Cape Town or had their roots in the Cape, and they all made significant contributions to South African society in diverse fields.

This collection of portraits seeks to ensure that they are remembered and celebrated. There are, of course, many other women who have made - or still make - an impact on Cape Town and surrounding areas. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below which ones you think deserve recognition and celebration.

You can access the exhibition in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa here https://www.capetownmuseum.org.za/people/impactful-women

Image credits:
A 17th century sketch of a Khoekhoe women from the World Digital Library.
Sketch of Dr James Barry from Welcome Collection.
Zainunnisa “Cissie” Gool from Bailey’s African History Archive.
A drawing of Lady Anne Barnard, 1783 from Western Cape Archives and Records Service (E2848).

29/07/2026

Come visit the latest exhibition at the Cape Town Museum Memory Centre, made possible in partnership with the Cape Institute for Architecture. Entitled “District Six: People Lived Here”, it features photographs by Jansje Wissema, a Dutch photographer commissioned by the Cape Institute of Architects (now the Cape Institute for Architecture) to record District Six in the 1970s when it became clear that the government was planning to demolish the area. Her iconic images of the place and its people today remain as a powerful chronicle of the area, capturing the essence of this lost community.

The exhibition was suitably launched on Mandela Day. Invited guests learned about the photographer, the significance of this historic record, and the hopes and plans for the future of this once-vibrant suburb. Speakers included Laura Robinson, past president of the Cape Institute for Architecture and chairperson of the Cape Town Museum Management Committee; Chrischené Julius from the District 6 Museum; Heidi Erdmann, curator and member of the Friends of the Cape Town Museum; and Simone Le Grange, architect and urban designer closely involved in the redevelopment of District Six. A note of thanks to speakers and guests was given by Phindokuhle Vusani, a crucial member of the event organising team. The official ribbon-cutting was led by Lorelle Hutton, Deputy Director, Museum Services at the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

The Cape Town Museum memory centre is situated in the Cape Medical Museum. So come view these unique historic images, share your story if you have any on District 6, and at the same time take the opportunity to view the interesting exhibitions in the Cape Medical Museum. You can find us at the Old City Hospital Complex, Portswood Road, Green Point. For more details about opening times, see https://tinyurl.com/erm9b3vt

24/06/2026

It has been a busy few days for Azra Omar, a recent BA graduate in History and Politics at the University of Cape Town. With a keen interest in the museum, heritage, and archive space, she has been job shadowing at the Museum Research and Exhibition and Museological Services unit of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports. This included tours of the Cape Town Museum Walk-In Centre, the SA Sendinggestig Museum and the Hisense Tevolution Museum. Our staff at the Cape Town Museum had a great time hosting her.
Music credit: Arise Africa Amapiano by MANSURLINE

27/05/2026

Last week Friday, the Cape Town Museum and the Cape Medical Museum hosted a speech competition at the Cape Medical Museum premises in Green Point. Fifteen students from different schools around Cape Town participated. The event was held in celebration of International Museum Day, with this year’s theme being “Museums Uniting a Divided World”.

In line with this theme, participating learners were asked to prepare a speech that looked at how museums can help people learn about different cultures, and develop respect and empathy for other cultures. The speeches were inspiring and insightful as learners shared their thoughtful perspectives on the power of museums to unite people.

Well done to all the participants, and a special congratulations to the three winners:
1st Place: Hlumelo Tshingana from Harry Gwala High School
2nd Place: Amda Lupuzi from Harry Gwala High School
3rd Place: Sanele Tebane from Sinenjongi High School

The winning learners, together with winners from the Lwandle Museum and SA Sendinggestig Museum, will compete in the regional speech competition in August.