Iziko Slave Lodge
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I have visited five museums in Cape Town and this one is the largest and most informative. Its MASSIVE! Theres soooooo much and I do wish to return for a longer visit. They cover South African and African slave history and also highlights the important tragic reality that slavery still exists in various forms. They have a couple of rooms devoted to the amazing Nelson Mandela- which left me inspired and with tears in my eyes as always… he's just such an incredible human being and I’m always left hoping and wondering whether I possess even a bit of his courage, humility, love and compassion- He really is my favorite person 💜 They have this fabulous timeline that traces Cape Town history, South African slave history and Slave history around the world simultaneously yet color-coded for better understanding- BRILLIANT! They have an interesting guns collection which I didn’t spend too much time in. They also highlight violence against women and talk about this epidemic which is necessary… violence towards women is merely another form of subjugation and suppression so Im glad for this section. What I truly loved more than the other aspects I loved are the voices given to living descendants. People today are able to speak about their experiences and growing up the descendant of an enslaved person. Its fascinating and reminds us that consequences of slavery which ended in the 1800’s is palpable and affecting to this day. In this way the museum is a living museum, an institution not just focusing on the past but inquiring and seeking ways to help those in the present and the future. It’s trying to be the change we want in this world. Truly magnificent exhibitions ✊🏽💜🌍 They also cover the role of music as an outlet for repressed peoples and talk about the lovely anthem for a beautiful new South Africa and its significance. Finally, of course they do cover apartheid which was also tremendously interesting and devastating but also inspiring because sooooooo many unknown people fought the good fight and died for the rights of all peoples. They feature lists of names of these heroes- a wonderful tribute and a humbling experience. There are many sections I haven’t mentioned such as an Egyptian section but I was a bit pressed for time. I left feeling deep profound complex thoughts about our species and these thoughts and questions are still fresh in my mind. In that sense this museum did a phenomenal job in educating and enlightening a horrible terrible part of who we are whilst reminding us that we are loving and strong and beautiful and incredible as a species nonetheless. That hope always reigns supreme.
MiloMilo
50
OMG the most underrated museum ever, I personally felt like if you have to choose between district 6 museum and here due to time constraints, I’d choose the slave lodge. I wandered into here because I spent way less time than I expected at district 6 and didn’t want to go back that early. The first floor is a very comprehensive history about slave trade in Cape Town. It’s not only history it also provides different perspectives and discussions around the historical research. I can get why some people feel it’s too text based, it’s definitely like academic research but I love it that way. The second floor is the art around fight against apartheid. Posters, clothes and clippings. Amazingly curated. I spent 2 hours just on first floor and was too exhausted to look at second floor in detail. You can definitely spend 4 hours here. And there’s literally no one else here other than me. I personally liked this museum the most after visiting district 6 museum, South African National gallery and Zeitz MOCAA.
Yuan-Yuan LeeYuan-Yuan Lee
00
Very informative, nice museum to vist but it gets tiring, there is just too much to read. The museum does not have much interactive exhibits, very few videos and the headphones are disconnected so you will have to just stand there and read, read, read. I fairly enjoyed the tour, I got really tired of reading and almost left the museum within 20 minutes. However, I decided to drag myself along, I am glad I didn't give up in between because there were lots of artifacts to look at. It takes approximately 2hours 30min to thoroughly tour the museum (this is if you read everything). If you are only browsing then it will take about 45min to 1hour (without reading). If you dont like reading then this museum tour is not for you.
S KS K
60
Many of these reviews are spot on - so. many. words. (in the museum, that is) The information is presented in a very "noisy" way. Paragraphs upon paragraphs of words on one placard after the next. It really is not structured for consumption at all. Rooms are very dimly lit, making it difficult to even read the information presented. The exhibit about music, with selections to listen to, no longer had the headphones to listen, defeating the whole purpose. Another exhibit, which looked amazing, about current males and their roles in society was such a cocophony that I couldn't distinguish one video's sound from another. Very disappointing, because I really wanted to learn today.
Kate MayerKate Mayer
00
It's hard to visit this museum without bring really emotional. It is a lot to read and comprehend. The best part was the really emotional stories about some of the slaves. I almost had a hard time understanding that this actually happened (still is) :( Some felt almost like fiction. I would have wanted something more for children, there was some interactive game where they searched for sunken parts from ships but I would have wanted something more serious but on their level. I think the big boards in the beginning was good with short information which was great to translate.
Julia LJulia L
00
Iziko Slave Lodge is a large museum that offers a lot more than its name implies. While the location of the museum is what was once used as a place to lodge slaves, the museum goes much further than to retell the history of slavery. It starts there and then goes on to the Apartheid years and becomes a museum depicting the history of various struggles towards freedom. Slave Lodge also has important collections of various historical items, including ancient Egyptian artifacts and more recent items including arms, clothes and objects from 19th and 20th century South Africa.
Georges YounesGeorges Younes
00
Nearby Attractions Of Iziko Slave Lodge
Castle of Good Hope
Greenmarket Square
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
Greenmarket Square
Southern Sun Cape Sun
The Labia Theatre
District Six Museum
Cattle Baron De Waterkant
Icon Luxury Apartments
South African National Gallery

Castle of Good Hope
4.3
(5.2K)Click for details

Greenmarket Square
4.1
(2.6K)Click for details

Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
4.3
(2.5K)Click for details

Greenmarket Square
4.1
(2.4K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Iziko Slave Lodge
The Company's Garden Restaurant
Truth Coffee Roasting
Kloof Street House
Eastern Food Bazaar
Tiger's Milk Long Street
Dias Tavern Portuguese Restaurant
Burger & Lobster
Food Lover's Eatery Newspaper House
The Village Idiot
The Dog's Bollocks at YARD

The Company's Garden Restaurant
4.3
(4.1K)$$
Click for details

Truth Coffee Roasting
4.5
(2.3K)$$
Click for details

Kloof Street House
4.4
(2.2K)Click for details

Eastern Food Bazaar
4.3
(4K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Corner Adderley Street and, Wale St, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa
Map
Phone
+27 21 467 7229
Call
Website
iziko.org.za
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(426 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Slave Lodge is a South African social history museum located in Cape Town. It has been on its present site in the Company's Garden.
attractions: Castle of Good Hope, Greenmarket Square, Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum, Greenmarket Square, Southern Sun Cape Sun, The Labia Theatre, District Six Museum, Cattle Baron De Waterkant, Icon Luxury Apartments, South African National Gallery, restaurants: The Company's Garden Restaurant, Truth Coffee Roasting, Kloof Street House, Eastern Food Bazaar, Tiger's Milk Long Street, Dias Tavern Portuguese Restaurant, Burger & Lobster, Food Lover's Eatery Newspaper House, The Village Idiot, The Dog's Bollocks at YARD

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