Museum Africa

Museum Africa is Johannesburg's museum of social history, located at 121 Bree Street in Newtown, Gauteng province, South Africa. It occupies the former Newtown fruit and vegetable market building, a large brick and steel structure dating from the early twentieth century, and forms part of the Newtown Cultural Precinct alongside the Market Theatre. The museum's exhibitions trace the history of Johannesburg and the wider region from prehistory to the modern city. Galleries cover the rise of the gold-mining boom, the growth of the city, everyday life for different communities, labour and migration, and the impact of segregation and apartheid. One of the best-known sections, Johannesburg Transformed, follows the city's social change through photographs, objects and recreated interiors, while other displays include the Bleek and Lloyd collection material on San languages and rock art replicas. The museum also holds collections of historic photographs, posters, political ephemera and cultural objects, and hosts temporary exhibitions. Visitors can expect to spend around an hour and a half, although history enthusiasts may take longer. The building is spacious and quiet, and weekday visits are often nearly empty apart from school groups. The museum is generally open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00, with free or nominal entry, and it is worth confirming when arriving. The best photo angles are the large market hall interiors. Photography is generally allowed without flash, though some displays may restrict it. Newtown is best reached by Uber or Bolt, and visitors should avoid walking between precincts. The area is often combined with the Market Theatre, nearby Mary Fitzgerald Square, and the Maboneng Precinct in a guided city tour.