AVAILABLE: Guided Tours | Family Friendly | OPEN: Tuesday – Saturday, Public Holidays | MORE INFO: Museum Website | LinkedIn Page

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Introduction

The Cape Heritage Museum, located in the oldest building in South Africa at the Cape of Good Hope Castle, is a diverse and inclusive museum that proudly showcases the unedited history of South Africa. The museum tells the story of all people who made the Cape their home, including the Khoi, San, Dutch, British, Malays, Jews, Indians, Xhosas, French, Arabs, and many others.



About the Museum

Founded and curated by human rights lawyer Mr Igshaan Higgins, the Cape Heritage Museum celebrates cultural connections and provides evidence that we have more in common than we know. The museum’s exhibition is arranged chronologically, starting with the Portuguese and Dutch interaction with the indigenous people of the Cape, and weaving through colonialism, emancipation of slavery, imperialism, apartheid, pass laws, separate development, the tot system and many other challenges that South Africans experienced over the past 400 years.

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Visitors can expect to see a diverse range of artefacts, statues, portraits, paintings, photographs, and art that showcase the significant contributions of men and women who shaped South Africa’s past and present.

The museum also examines social issues like gentrification in the Bo-Kaap, the forced removals in District Six, the effects of apartheid legislation like the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act, and social cohesion between Muslims, Jewish, Christian, Xhosa, Khoisan, and other African Indigenous Groups and Asian diasporas that shaped contemporary South Africa.

Interesting Facts

  • The Cape Heritage Museum is located in the oldest building in South Africa, The Cape of Good Hope Castle, which was built between 1666 and 1679.
  • The museum’s founder, Mr Igshaan Higgins, is a human rights lawyer and a vociferous advocate of freedom of speech guaranteed by Section 16 of the South African Constitution.
  • The museum’s exhibition may delight, inspire, astonish, illuminate, challenge, unsettle, confound, provoke, and, at times, even offend.

Physical Location

Conclusion

The Cape Heritage Museum is an important destination for anyone who wants to learn about the rich history of South Africa. From its diverse range of exhibits to its commitment to freedom of speech, this museum is a must-visit for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of South Africa’s past and present. Whether you are a history buff, an art lover, or simply curious about the world around you, the Cape Heritage Museum is a place where you can discover new insights and expand your knowledge.