Kwa Muhle Museum
Discover Durban's complex history at the Kwa Muhle Museum, housed in a former apartheid administration building. Explore exhibits on the pass system, ...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, more reflective
Kwa Muhle Museum
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more reflective
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover Durban's complex history at the Kwa Muhle Museum, housed in a former apartheid administration building. Explore exhibits on the pass system, apartheid, and community stories.
"A tangible connection to Durban's past, offering impactful exhibits on apartheid and community struggles for free. "
🎯 Free Admission! 🎉
Entry to the Kwa Muhle Museum is free, making it an accessible historical experience.
⏳ Allow about an hour
The museum is compact; an hour is usually enough to absorb the exhibits.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Apartheid Pass System Exhibit
Former Native Administration Building
Experience the tangible history of Durban's racial job permit system and social controls.
Historical Photographs
Main display rooms
Incredible quality photos showcasing families and people affected by apartheid forced removals.
HIV/AIDS Gallery
Large display room
A thorough and expressive look at medical history and its impact on the community.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Free Admission! 🎉
Entry to the Kwa Muhle Museum is free, making it an accessible historical experience.
⏳ Allow about an hour
The museum is compact; an hour is usually enough to absorb the exhibits.
🚶♀️ Combine with City Hall
It's conveniently located near Durban City Hall, perfect for a combined visit.
📚 Engage with staff
Staff are welcoming and helpful, offering insights into the exhibits.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Free Admission! 🎉
Entry to the Kwa Muhle Museum is free, making it an accessible historical experience.
⏳ Allow about an hour
The museum is compact; an hour is usually enough to absorb the exhibits.
🚶♀️ Combine with City Hall
It's conveniently located near Durban City Hall, perfect for a combined visit.
📚 Engage with staff
Staff are welcoming and helpful, offering insights into the exhibits.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Kwa Muhle Museum for its impactful historical exhibits, particularly those detailing Durban's apartheid past and the pass system. The free admission and the significance of the building itself are frequently highlighted as major positives. While some find the museum small, the quality of historical photographs and the informative nature of the displays are consistently appreciated.
"Great little Museum! In less than an hour you’ll get a good feeling for what life would have been like in Durban for people discriminated against during apartheid. The fact that this is the actual pass office makes it really tangible!
The buildings are well kept and entrance is indeed free."
Thomas Meyer
"Great museum featuring some great exhibitions on Durbans history. The staff were welcoming and helpful! A little small, so hoping it could showcase more in the future but the historical photographs were incredible. Amazing quality for their time and showcasing an important time in South Africa’s history in foregrounding families and real people affected by apartheid forced removals. The HIV/AIDS showcase is one of the most thorough and expressive medical histories I’ve ever attended."
JBinedell
"The first thing that stood out as I walked into the old Native Administration Building was how clean and well preserved it was. Staff at reception were extremely helpful and kind. It was refreshing to experience good service from government employees.
The museum itself is small with only 4 main display rooms. One of which has most of Durbans history in the form of story boards and sculptures depicting life at the time.
There is a large room where an HIV AIDS gallery is held. There was too much writing on the walls. Literally.
Another room showcased stories and paraphernalia of the Durban Old Boys, men who fought in World War 1.
Although the information and faculties were relevant and informative, I expected more.
Toilet facilities available. Ample parking. Safe."
Het Navadiya
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Kwa Muhle Museum is centrally located in Durban, making it accessible by public transport or a short taxi ride from most areas. Ample parking is also available nearby.
Yes, it's very close to Durban City Hall and other central Durban landmarks, making it easy to combine with a broader city exploration.
From North Beach, you can take a short taxi ride or a brisk walk (around 15-20 minutes) to reach the museum.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The Kwa Muhle Museum offers free admission, making it an excellent budget-friendly option for exploring Durban's history.
While specific hours can vary, it's generally open during standard weekday business hours. It's always a good idea to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information.
No, advance booking is typically not required as admission is free. You can usually walk in.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The museum showcases Durban's history, culture, and hardships, with key exhibits on the apartheid pass system, historical photographs, and an HIV/AIDS gallery.
Most visitors find that an hour is sufficient to explore the museum's exhibits thoroughly.
While not heavily interactive in a digital sense, the museum's use of historical artifacts, storyboards, and powerful photographs creates an engaging and immersive experience.
Yes, toilet facilities are available for visitors.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally permitted for personal use, but it's always best to check for any specific signage or ask staff if you're unsure.
The historical photographs and the architecture of the former Native Administration building offer compelling visual narratives for photographers.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider preparing children beforehand about the historical context to ensure they can process the information appropriately. The museum's compact size means it won't overwhelm younger attention spans, and the staff are generally helpful in providing context.
💰 Budget Travelers
Combine your visit with other free or low-cost activities in Durban, such as exploring the beachfront or visiting the Durban Botanic Gardens. The museum's central location also means you can easily walk or use affordable public transport to get there, further saving on travel expenses.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Significance of the Building
+1 Visiting this actual site provides a profoundly tangible connection to the city's difficult past, making the exhibits resonate on a deeper level than a typical museum might. The building itself has been preserved and now houses exhibitions that tell the stories of those who passed through its doors. Today, the building has been transformed. It's described as clean and bathed in sunshine, with a garden of herbs planted to celebrate healing and traditional plant medicine.
This transformation symbolizes a move towards reconciliation and remembrance, offering a space for reflection on the hardships endured and the path towards a more inclusive future. The contrast between its past function and its present role as a museum is a powerful aspect of the visitor experience. This historical context is crucial for understanding the impact of the exhibits. The Kwa Muhle Museum activities are designed to educate visitors about the history of Durban and its people, particularly during the apartheid era. The museum's focus on the pass system and social controls offers a critical lens through which to view South African history.
Exploring the Exhibits
Beyond the broader history of Durban and apartheid, the museum features specialized galleries. One notable exhibit is the HIV/AIDS gallery, which is recognized as one of the most thorough and expressive medical histories encountered by visitors.
While the content is highly informative and relevant, some visitors have noted that there can be 'too much writing on the walls' in certain sections, suggesting a preference for more visual or curated storytelling.
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