Cultural experiences
South African museums: North West
Broederstroom
The Lesedi Cultural Village consists of reconstructed Zulu, Ndebele, Sotho, Pedi and Xhosa homesteads set in pristine bushveld and rocky hills less than an hour’s drive north of Johannesburg. The village offers accommodation, a restaurant, conference facilities and more.On R512 between Lanseria and Broederstroom
Tel: (012) 205-1394
Website
Hartbeespoort
The Rainbow Cultural Village has reconstructed San Bushman, Boer and Ndebele dwellings and informal houses which provide a glimpse into a day in the life of rural South Africa.8km west of Hartbeespoort Dam on the Rustenburg Road
Tel: (012) 258-0333
Hebron
The Gaabo Motho Cultural Village comprises reconstructed Tswana, Ndebele, Venda, Zulu homesteads and a shack.Stand 1596, Hebron, off M20 road between Rosslyn and Mabopane
Tel: (012) 706-0165
Daily
Website
Klerksdorp
The Klerksdorp Museum is housed in a number of buildings. The main museum, in the Old Gaol (1891), features archaeology, cultural history, geology, farm implements and vehicles. There are period exhibitions in the adjacent Warden's House, rotating exhibitions in Old Powder Magazine, and a mining museum.Corner Margaretha Prinsloo & Lombard Streets, Pienaarsdorp
Tel: (018) 462-3546
Mon-Fri: 10:00-13:00; 14:00-16:30
Sat: 9:30-12:00
Sun & public holidays: 14:00-17:00
Website
Lichtenburg
The Ampie Bosman Cultural History Museum has modern exhibits on the founding and development of Lichtenburg, the discovery of diamonds, Gen JH de la Rey, and the siege of Lichtenburg.Gen De la Rey Square, Town Centre
Tel: (081) 632-5051
Tues-Thur: 10:00-17:00
Fri: 10:00-16:00
Sat: 10:00-12:00
Website The Diggers Museum is housed in a diggers' church building.
Civic Centre, Melvill Street
Tel: (081) 632-5051
Mon-Fri: 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00
Sat & public holidays: on request The North West Agricultural Museum contains wonderful collections of farm implements, tractors and blacksmith tools from the earliest history of mechanised agriculture in the region.
Melvill Street South
Tel: (081) 632-5051
Mon-Fri: 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00
Sat & public holidays: on request
Mafikeng
Displays in the Mafikeng Museum feature the local history and culture of the region - traditional medicine, pottery and grasswork, the Iron Age, the San Bushmen, regional indigenous history, the siege of Mafikeng amd the life of author Sol Plaatje, who so graphically portrayed the siege in his famous book.Martin Street
Tel: (0140) 81-6102/0773
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00
Sat: 10:00-12:30 Molema House, the home of Sol Plaatje and Dr Silas Molema, pays tribute to these important figures in South African history.
Suburb of Montshiwa
Tel: (018) 348-3040
Potchefstroom
The Goetz Fleischack Museum in the restored home of Andreas Marthinus Goetz, magistrate of Potchefstroom (1870-1881), is the only remaining example of the early townhouses which were erected around the New Market Square between 1850 and 1855. It is furnished in Victorian style.Corner Gouws and Potgieter Streets
Tel: (0148) 299-5031
Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-16:30
Website The Potchefstroom Museum is a cultural and historical museum concentrating on local history.
Corner Gouws and Wolmarans Streets
Tel: (0148) 299-5022
Mon-Thur: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-19:00
Fri: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-16:30
Sat: 09:00-13:00
Sun: 14:30-17:00
Website The President Pretorius Museum is an old Cape-style dwelling with a coach-house, stable and smithy, believed to have been built by Marthinus Wessel Pretorius, first state president of the South African Republic. The homestead, built in 1868, with its tranquil farmyard, recalls an urban Boer culture which has long since disappeared.
Van der Hoff Avenue
Tel: (0148) 299-5036/7
Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-16:30
Website Another house museum is the Totius House Museum, part of the Reformed Church complex and once the home of Totius (JD du Toit), translator of the Bible, poet and theologian.
Corner Molen and Esselen Streets
Tel: (0148) 299-5046/7
Mon-Fri: 09:00-13:00; 14:00-16:30
Website
Phokeng
The Paul Kruger Country House Museum, situated on Boekenhoutfontein, the historic farm of President Paul Kruger, comprises various farm buildings, farmyard and a house museum5km north of Phokeng off R565 between Rustenburg and Sun City
Tel: (014) 573-3218
Taung
The Taung Skull Heritage Site and Blue Pools is the site of the discovery of the Taung skull in the Buxton quarry in 1924. It consists of caves, streams and a reopened mine shaft.West of Taung at the Buxton Quarry
Tel: (01405) 41975 or (053) 912904
Website
Winterveld
The Mapoch Ndebele Village is an authentic inhabited Ndebele village.8 km west off M35 Tswaing road (past Tswaing Crater Museum)
Tel: (012) 790-2302
Daily 10:00-16:00
Website
South African museum listings
Zulu stick fighters show their skill at the Lesedi Cultural Village (Image: Lesedi Cultural Village)