Museum Africa

Museum Africa is the city history museum of Johannesburg, housed in the former Market Building at 121 Bree Street in Newtown, Gauteng, South Africa. The building was long the city's fruit and vegetable market, and its high halls now hold exhibitions on the history of Johannesburg and the southern African region. Displays trace the geological and prehistoric background of the area, the gold rush of the 1880s that created the city, the growth of the mining economy and the social conditions of the workers and residents who built it. Later galleries cover apartheid-era resistance, forced removals, and the political struggles of the twentieth century, using photographs, documents, films and objects. The museum also holds the Bleek and Lloyd Collection of San narratives and drawings from the nineteenth century, which is significant for the study of San languages and culture. Rock-art related material and a natural history section extend the range. A visit takes about one and a half to two hours, and the layout allows visitors to focus on the periods that interest them most. The museum sits close to Mary Fitzgerald Square, the Market Theatre and the Newtown cultural precinct, so it pairs well with a walk through the surrounding area during the day. The building's tall industrial interior and the old market frontage are the best photo angles. Weekday mornings are quietest, while school groups sometimes visit later. Admission is free or a small fee, so visitors should confirm at the desk. Ride-hailing cars are the usual way to reach Newtown, and it is prudent to avoid walking alone through the surrounding streets after dark.