Sci-Bono Discovery Centre — Attraction in Johannesburg Ward 60

In a world where museums are often underfunded, ignored and dying, this particular experience has soured my opinion of the Sci-Bono and I will likely never return.

I recently visited the Sci-Bono museum, drawn by my love for museums and previous enjoyment of the Sci-Enza exhibit on the University of Pretoria campus. While the museum itself was clean, well-maintained, and interesting, my experience was significantly marred by the staff's approach to managing adult visitors alongside school tours.

As an experienced museum-goer and educator, I took care to avoid interacting with children or school groups, respecting safeguarding policies and preferring to explore exhibits at my own pace. I even had lunch at the extremely overpriced and pretty disgusting coffee shop to wait for tours to conclude.

However, I was repeatedly and unnecessarily chased away from exhibits by tour guides, even when I was quiet, respectful, and distant from the groups. Staff enforced a seemingly strict policy preventing paying adult visitors from being near tours, forcing me to spend most of my visit waiting in common areas for tours to pass.

This approach defeats the purpose of offering self-guided adult tickets, especially when adults are behaving responsibly. Meanwhile, teachers accompanying tours were often outside socializing. For context, other museums like the Wits Art Museum (with free entry and fewer children) and the Pretoria Science Museum (with friendlier staff) provided more welcoming experiences for adult visitors.

This was especially unpleasant because when buying my tickets the staff never communicated such a safeguarding policy or requested that we wait outside exhibits for tours to pass. Not that I see any reason to make adult site visitors act like lepers when in every other moment in life children are present often without guardians or teachers.

Rather than let this ruin my birthday tradition, I left, went to the zoo (that was crawling with school tours and I didn't have to wait outside the reptile house for tours to pass) and military museum (also had children present and I was left in peace to enjoy learning more about our history) and had a significantly better experience.

Rating: 1/5 stars for adult visitor experience due to unwelcoming staff policies; potentially excellent for school tours or family visits.

Summary for Different Visitor Types Teachers/School Groups: Likely a good choice for educational tours. Families/Kids' Events: Seems suitable. Adult Visitors: Not recommended due to restrictive policies and unwelcoming staff treatment.

Would not recommend for solo adult visits given the...

An interactive playground for curious minds.

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is hands down one of the most exciting and educational places in Johannesburg. Located in Newtown, it’s a vibrant space where science, technology, and innovation come alive. Whether you're a student, a family with kids, or just someone curious about how things work, Sci-Bono has something for everyone.

The hands-on exhibits are interactive and engaging, covering everything from physics and engineering to space exploration and robotics. It’s a space where you can not only see but also experience science in action—perfect for sparking curiosity and making learning fun.

One of the best things about Sci-Bono is how it brings science to life in a way that's both educational and entertaining. From the massive planetarium to the robotics lab, there’s always something that grabs your attention. It’s an ideal spot for school groups, families, or anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the world around us.

The centre also hosts a variety of workshops, events, and exhibitions, making it a dynamic space that stays fresh and relevant. Plus, it’s super affordable, which makes it accessible to everyone.

If you’re looking for a fun, educational outing that’s perfect for all ages, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is a must-visit. It’s a creative hub for learning, discovery, and imagination—Joburg is...

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Southern Africa’s largest science centre, is affiliated to the Gauteng Department of Education to support maths, science and technology education and to help build to South Africa’s science, engineering and technology capacity. Sci-Bono is responsible for implementing the Gauteng Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Strategy.

Sci-Bono started as a partnership project of the Gauteng Department of Education and various private sector partners. Located in the historic Electric Workshop in the cultural precinct of Newtown, Johannesburg, Sci-Bono annually receives hundreds of thousands of visitors to its a large collection of interactive science and technology exhibits and exhibitions. Sci-Bono also offers a broad programme of science and technology related events, activities and programmes for both the general public and the school community. Sci-Bono is now one of the most popular leisure and educational destinations in Gauteng.

Sci-Bono is a Non-Profit Company funded by its principal, the Gauteng Department of Education, It also benefits from grants and donations from donors in the broader public and private sector. Sci-Bono is also supported by various scientific and engineering bodies in industry and by the diplomatic community in...