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Bringing alive memories of the past
District Six Museum
Upper Gallery at the District Six Museum.
© Chris Marais
Did you know?
The vibrant history of District Six was celebrated in a musical of the same name by David Kramer and the late Taliep Pietersen.
The District Six Museum, a historical Cape Town museum, utilises multi-media techniques to add a new dimension to the experience, combining documentary, digital and sound elements to narrate the story of the District Six suburb.
District Six, the 6th municipal district in Cape Town, was established in 1867 as a racially mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, labourers and immigrants. With close links to the city and port, it was renowned for its vibrant atmosphere.
Hettie Adams and Hermione Suttner, residents of District Six back in the day, recall what it was like after working all day as domestic servants in the wealthier yet sterile parts of Cape Town:
‘Here in District Six, when we get home, it's crowded and full of noise, full of people, full of friends. And a happiness comes over us, and we think, we don't want to be rich, to be rich is to be lonely'.
They also tell of the great tradition of Malay choirs that would emerge in fancy dress and march to saxophones and strumming banjos from New Years Eve until 2 January. But, sadly, apartheid officials brought it to an end.
First to be forcibly removed were the African residents, in 1901. In 1966 it was declared a white-only area and over the next decade, 60 000 coloured residents were relocated to faceless townships on the Cape Flats, their beautiful houses flattened by bulldozers.
The District Six Museum Foundation was established in 1989, leading to the opening of this museum in Cape Town in 1994. It works with the memories of these past experiences and the history of forced removals.
Through its collections, exhibitions and education programmes this museum in Cape Town seeks to reconstitute the spirit of the community and provide a different interpretation of the past.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
How to get here
The District Six Museum is in Buitenkant Street in downtown Cape Town. There are taxis and buses running regularly in the area.
Around the area
The museum offers a guided tour of the area. It is conducted by an ex-resident either as a walking tour or in a vehicle. To book a tour call the Museum on 021 466 7200.
Tours to do
See the listed Cape Town tourism website for touring companies operating in the City Bowl.
Get around
The museum has been designed so you can wander in off the street and take a self guided tour, or you can take a tour with an ex-resident of District Six.
What will it cost
Adults: 20.00
Pensioners: R5.00
Children under 12: R5.00
Length of stay
Half a day will be enough time to explore the museum.
Where to stay
Cape Town has accommodation options aplenty, but for something a little different why not try a guesthouse in the District Six area.
What to eat
Cape Malay cuisine is fabulous and can be found at many restaurants in both greater Cape Town and the District Six area. Spicy crayfish samoosas will have you swooning in delight.
Best buys
There are a number of books available on District Six, including Rosa's District 6, by Rozena Maart, The House in Tyne Street by Linda Fortune and Noor's Story - My Life in District Six by Noor Ebrahim. You can buy them at the museum or online.