Identity area
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- Regional
Contact area
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Address
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Description area
History
Geographical and cultural context
About Iziko Museums
Iziko, an isiXhosa word meaning ‘hearth’, embodies the spirit of a transformed institution and our version of ‘African Museums of Excellence’. The hearth is traditionally and symbolically the social centre of the home; a place associated with warmth, kinship and the spirit of the ancestors. As such, Iziko was envisioned as a space for all South Africans to gather, nourish body and soul, and share stories and the knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Here, Iziko Museums seeks to emulate the ‘hearth’ by creating receptive spaces for cultural interaction and dialogue – and we are proud to ignite connections between our shared history, our heritage and each other.
Iziko seeks to celebrate our heritage while generating new cultural legacies for future generations, and a society that has moved beyond the shackles of the past.
The three ‘flames’ in our ‘hearth’ logo represent the three collections brought together in our 11 museums: Social History (ochre); Art (red); and Natural History (green). Our collections are made accessible to learners and the public through education programmes, public programmes and exhibitions. While we have many permanent exhibitions, we regularly create and host temporary exhibitions so that the public can enjoy the more than one million items in our collections. We also arrange travelling exhibitions to other cities, and play host to travelling exhibitions from other local and international museums.
A visit to any of our following 11 museums will take you on a magical journey of African heritage:
Bertram House
Bo-Kaap Museum
Groot Constantia Manor House
Koopmans-de Wet House
Maritime Centre
Michaelis Collection at the Old Town House
Rust en Vreugd
Slave Lodge and Social History Centre
South African Museum and Planetarium
South African National Gallery and Annexe
William Fehr Collection at the Castle of Good Hope
Our libraries offer resources to researchers, students and knowledge seekers. The Art Library is based at the South African National Gallery Annexe, the Social History Library is based at the Social History Centre, and the Natural History Library is based at the South African Museum. Access to these resources is offered free of charge. Iziko has a large database of images and is actively digitising its collection. These images are available at a fee and on request.
Iziko Museums aspires to follow certain values that will ensure the protection of South Africa’s heritage for the benefit of future generations.
Ubuntu – ‘I am because of you’
Community engagement and social responsiveness
Batho Pele – ‘Putting people first’
Empower and inspire our visitors through education and research
Communication and information sharing – ongoing, open and honest communication and sharing of information
Develop and sustain mutually beneficial local and international partnerships
Professional, dependable and consistent service excellence
Mutual trust, respect, equality, honesty and dignity – treat everyone fairly and uphold human dignity
Good and transparent financial governance
Mandates/Sources of authority
Administrative structure
Records management and collecting policies
Buildings
Holdings
Finding aids, guides and publications
Access area
Opening times
Hours:
Winter Weekend Hours:
Saturdays: 08h30 – 16h00
Sundays: 08h30 – 16h00
Open between 09h00 and 17h00
Monday to Sunday
Closed on Christmas Day and Workers’ Day
Fees:
International Fee
Adults: R80
Children aged 5 to 17: R80
Pensioners and Students: R80
Local Fee
Adults: R50.00
Children aged 5 to 17: R30.00
Upon Presentation of Valid Identification
South African pensioners and students (with valid cards): R30.00 / Free entry on Fridays
School groups: Booked: R30.00; Unbooked: R20.00
Free entry on commemorative days