Constitution Hill Human Rights Precinct — Attraction in Johannesburg Ward 60

What an amazing tour and experience! John our tour guide was informative, descriptive, and an excellent guide who walked us through the atrocities perpetuated by the Apartheid regime. Our tickets with tour cost 360 total for two people (or 180 per person). The atrocities were so inhuman, so shocking, one could not leave and be moved. How could this have happened in our lifetime (I am 50). We in the US and Britain turned the blind eye in the name of expediency. Justice deserves that we speak up despite it being politically expedient otherwise history will repeat itself. Yet all authoritarian governments or potential wannabe authoritarian governments (ie Make America . . . . again you know who you are) cannot turn a blind eye. Visiting here is necessary for any visit to Joburg. You cannot not come here and understand the present without trying to comprehend the past.

I felt like I was visiting Auschwitz but these prisoners were not murdered. They were stripped of their humanity and had all their humanity squeezed out of them. The apartheid regime was truly deplorable but it could not have been executed without the help of many individuals who looked away. One of biology professors at Stanford said the opposite of love is not hate it is indifference. Here the indifference by many accomplices allowed and perpetuated this destructive regime. But like any story there is a victor and that are the South African people. Their resiliency and forgiveness are remarkable.

My wife and I have never been so moved with any "attraction." To come here is to understand the very lowest of humanity but also the very best of humanity (ie reconciliation and forgiveness), This place is a testament to the strength of human will and resiliency. An amazing place! A historic place!

Come here you will not regret a visit here...

I made enquiries, telephonically, via the website and in person, , since September, about prices for a group of 7 high school students and 1 teacher. I have, to date, 10 November, heard nothing from them.

The pressure was on me to take the students on their excursion, so off we went on the City Sightseeing Tour, which was excellent, as always.

When we arrived at Constitution Hill, we wanted to do a tour of the facility. I was infuriated at being told that a group of 7 didn't warrant a guide as it wasn't considered a big enough group. I was also told that it would cost ZAR40 per student to do a self-guided tour of the prisons. My students and I hadn't budgeted for this, so we couldn't do the tour. The entire purpose of the excursion was for them to learn about the prison in apartheid times! What an utter disappointment for us not to be able to view the facility and what a waste of a learning opportunity!

The only part if the facility that we could enter is the Constitutional Court, where we encountered a family of two parents with their infant and toddler- accompanied by a guide! Imagine that - four people, two of whom had no understanding of the experience they were having, being accompanied by a guide, as opposed to our seven for whom this was supposed to be a learning opportunity for which we had no guide!

To say that we are disappointed is an understatement of note! Clearly, the public relations division of Constitution Hill doesn't care about the learners enough to communicate with them in a positive way. However, what the public relations division HAVE shown us is that they are inept, lazy and are being paid...

Probably my favourite stop on my tourist route around Johannesburg when I have visitors. Rich in historical detail for the history nerds, and the building itself is absolutely stunning even for someone like me who never really paid much attention to architecture. Then there’s the 360-degree view around the city from the hill above the fort overlooking the ConCourt. All in all, a magic combo - and FREE 🎉🎉. It’s also magic to be able to enter the court easily and get photos either sitting in or sitting in front of the Chief Justice’s chair, with that beautiful giant SA flag behind you. I always try to take visitors on a Saturday or Sunday bc the court is usually quiet and you’re more likely to be able to spend some time admiring the beautiful courtroom itself, and of course maybe sit in the CJ’s chair (which has recently been roped off, so you SHOULDN’T... 😏 but you can still sit in front of it). If you are going by yourself, if you hang around for a few minutes inside the court a tour group will usually enter, and it’s very worth staying put to listen to what the guide says about the choices behind the court’s design and how it ties past and present. For those with mobility constraints, the security is friendly and will let you drive up quite close to the court’s entrance to drop and pick up people who can’t walk far or climb steps. I think they might even let you park close by on weekends. A fascinating, beautiful and FREE must-do stop for any Joburg visitor. I have taken many people there - including people who had no idea this court was even there and had no interest in going - and all of them...