Anglo-Boer War Museum history

The Second Anglo-Boer War was a major conflict between Britain and the Orange Free State republics and Boers of South Africa which raged from 1899 to 1902. It was a clash between British imperialism and the nationalism of the South Africans, in which the British tried to unite the different areas into one unified colonial state.

Bloemfontein was a vital location in the war as it was both the site of the Bloemfontein Conference in 1899, which served to fan the flames of war, and was also captured by the British commander Lord Roberts on 13 March 1900.

After the unveiling of the National Women’s Monument in 1913, the memorial committee decided to open a museum preserving the history of the conflict. The cornerstone was laid in 1930 and opened a year later, expanded year-by-year.

Anglo-Boer War Museum today

Open 8am to 4pm on weekdays and 10am to 4pm at the weekend, the Anglo-Boer War Museum chronicles the events leading up to the war, the course of the war and its aftermath. One of its most moving exhibits is that relating to concentration camps: the Second Anglo-Boer War is notorious for being the first war in which such camps were used, a strategy spearheaded by Lord Herbert Kitchener.

The museum is next to the National Women’s Memorial, a high-reaching obelisk which commemorates those who perished in these camps.

Getting to the Anglo-Boer War Museum

Located along Monument Road in Bloemfontein, the Anglo-Boer War Museum is hard to miss in the centre of town and is reached by car just off Route 1 or 8 exiting from Curie Avenue.

Apartheid Museum history

From 1948, when the National Party came to power, until 1994 South Africa had a series of racially discriminatory laws which oppressed certain races, particularly anybody of non-white descent. People were categorised according to their race and those who were not white were treated as second class citizens. This was the period known as the Apartheid.

The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 and is acknowledged as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story. The Apartheid Museum, the first of its kind, illustrates the rise and fall of apartheid.

An architectural consortium, comprising several leading architectural firms, conceptualised the design of the building on a seven-hectare stand. The exhibits have been assembled and organised by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, filmmakers, historians and designers. They include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories. The museum is registered as a Public Benefit Company with an independent board of trustees.

Apartheid Museum today

Through its twenty-two exhibition areas, comprising original artefacts, information panels and multimedia presentations including films, the Apartheid Museum provides an in-depth insight into life under the apartheid regime. It also looks at the gradual campaign against the apartheid and the struggle for equal rights led by Nelson Mandela, the country’s eventual president.

The exhibits include permanent exhibits, temporary exhibits and a specific Mandela exhibit dedicated to the influential figure.

The sheer volume of information can make it an overwhelming experience; particularly distressing is a small chamber in which hang 131 nooses, representative of the 131 government opponents who were executed under antiterrorism laws.

Getting to the Apartheid Museum

The museum is located 8km south of the city centre, just off the M1 freeway. The site is less than half an hour away from central Johannesburg by bus.

Battle of Blood River Memorial history

Prior to the Battle of Blood River, a Boer diplomatic group led by Piet Retief were massacred by Zulu forces.

On 16 December 1838, angered by the attack, a force of Boers led by Andries Pretorius defeated the Zulus in Battle.

The 460 Voortrekkers formed an impenetrable laager, a defensive camp encircled with their ox-wagons, and fought the 15,000-strong impi attack until the Zulus finally retreated, leaving thousands dead and the river red with blood. The violent encounter became known as the Battle of Blood River.

The river in question was actually the Ncome River, which was said to have flowed red with the blood of 3,000 Zulus after the clash.

The monument was completed in 1939, yet due to the Second World War it was only unveiled in 1947. In 1971, the wagon was moved to its current position. The wagon is symbolically seen as a home, fortress and church for the Voortrekkers.

Battle of Blood River Memorial today

The Battle of Blood River Memorial depicts the main tactic used by the Boers, known as a “laager” or wagon circle. Comprised of 64 bronze wagons, the Battle of Blood River Memorial is located on the original battle site. There are also the nearby Blood River Museum and Ncome Museum, each chronicling the battle from the respective Boer and Zulu perspectives.

The site is named after a nearby river known as Ncome in Zulu and Bloedrivier in Afrikaans. To the east of this river is the Ncome Monument and Museum Complex. The Blood River Monument and Museum Complex is located west of the river. These monuments were erected through the years to commemorate a significant battle in South African history.

Getting to the Battle of Blood River Memorial

The Ncome-Blood River Heritage Site is located 43 km from Dundee, 24km from Nquthu and 72 km from Vryheid. The site is signposted with Blood River, Ncome or Blood River/Ncome signs.

History of the Castle of Good Hope

The Castle of Good Hope was built by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) between 1666 and 1679 as a maritime replenishment station, but became a thriving settlement for military personnel and civilians alike. Imposing and expansive, the castle casts a very distinct pentagonal shape across Cape Town. Visitors enter through its large gateway bearing the coat of arms of the United Netherlands, built in 1682 to replace the original sea-facing entrance.

Castle of Good Hope today

Visitors can either explore the Castle of Good Hope independently or join one of the many tours which uncover the Castle’s extensive history including a fascinating (if slightly creepy) visit to a dungeon.

There are also a number of exhibitions, including the Castle Military Museum exploring past battles and wars, the William Ferh Collection of period paintings and furniture and a replica of the original Castle Forge. The Castle of Good Hope features as one of our Top 10 Tourist Attractions in South Africa.

Getting to the Castle of Good Hope

There are numerous ways to reach the Castle of Good Hope. If you are travelling by car from Cape Town International Airport, take the Airport Ring Road and Airport Approach Road to the N2. Follow N2 to Newmarket Street in Foreshore before taking the Strand Street exit from Nelson Mandela Blvd/N2. Continue on Newmarket Street and drive straight to Castle Street.

If you are travelling from Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, head northwest on Tafelberg Road. Turn right at Kloof Nek Road/M62. Keep left to continue on Upper Buitengragt/M62 – continue to follow M62. Turn right onto Strand Street before taking another right onto Castle Street.

History of District Six

District Six, as it became known, was long one of Cape Town’s poorer districts – its first inhabitants were newly freed slaves. At its peak, District Six housed around 1/10th of the city’s population.

Following the Group Areas Act of 1950, District Six was declared a white area in 1960 and the government forcibly removed around 30,000 of its inhabitants to make way for white settlements and bulldozed many of the existing buildings, including large areas of slums.

The government declared District Six was a crime-ridden slum full of dens of vice, only fit for clearance. Many believed this was a convenient cover story and that in fact, their desire to demolish District Six was because it was a prime piece of land, nestled between the city centre, Table Mountain and Cape Town’s harbour.

Despite grand plans for District Six, almost none of them came to fruition: the government’s rebuilding schemes were viewed as too excessive, and inability to raise funds combined with repeated stalling.

Some attempts were made to build residential areas in its place, most of the area which made up District Six is now empty, standing as a stark reminder of the savagery of apartheid with only grass fields marking its original place. In the 1980s, the Hands Off District Six came into being, lobbying the government to halt investment and redevelopment. Over time, they helped many displaced residents reclaim their land.

District Six today

The District Six Museum was established in 1994, and aims not just to highlight the injustice and savagery of the apartheid regime, but also to document and remember the vibrant cultural melting pot that District Six was prior to the clearances. It’s well worth a visit if you’re in the area, as the museum stands testament to this politically and historically important area of Cape Town.

District Six also has plenty of cultural institutions including the Fugard Theatre and Cape Craft and Design Institute.

Getting to District Six

Cape Town is a city which primarily favours cars – Ubers, cars or MyCiti buses are the best way of getting around, and getting to District Six. The suburb lies under Table Mountain and Signal Hill, and is a 5 minute walk from the Castle of Good Hope and Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum.