Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
4.5
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This tragic museum, opened in 2002, honors the Sowetan schoolchildren slain in a police massacre in 1976.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
555 reviews
Excellent
299
Very good
195
Average
50
Poor
6
Terrible
5
HansRaj
Cape Town, South Africa21 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The museum gave us an insight into the apartheid system in South Africa, and how Hector Pieterson who was 12 years old at the time, was shot by the police during the protests. The photographs and snippets of the newspaper articles tell a deeply moving story, and highlight the harsh and inhumane treatment of black South Africans during that time.
This place is a stark reminder of how South Africa has come a long way to become a more inclusive and diverse nation, the so-called Rainbow Nation as described by Nelson Mandela.
This place is a stark reminder of how South Africa has come a long way to become a more inclusive and diverse nation, the so-called Rainbow Nation as described by Nelson Mandela.
Written 1 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fee1814
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates79 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
Despite all of the video displays being off due to load shedding the museum did an incredible job of relaying the harrowing events of the Soweto uprising. The museum is incredibly well curated.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MN_Walkers
Minneapolis, MN559 contributions
Mar 2023
An important, and quite sobering, site and exhibit. School children who organized a protest march being shot with live ammunition by police. The exhibits and explanations are well laid out without being sensational. It leaves one numbed. It took a bit less than an hour to take it all in. We're very glad we went.
Written 19 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rik T
Fredericton, Canada1Â 353 contributions
Oct 2022 • Family
We had a guide who took us through the museum and it really made a difference. Reading the text on the TV screens and signs is not as impactful as having a relative of someone who participated in the march tell you the story. Go figure.
Photos are not allowed as you walk through this two level depiction of the roots and fallout of the march. At the centre of it all is Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old South African schoolkid. He was shot and killed by police during the Soweto uprising; black students protesting mandatory teaching in Afrikaans, a language that mostly white and coloured people spoke.
The story is very a emotional, angering one. Be prepared to be affected by the sometimes graphic images and story.
Although the area outside the building is slightly vandalized from time to time, it remains a nice museum and pretty well maintained.
Photos are not allowed as you walk through this two level depiction of the roots and fallout of the march. At the centre of it all is Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old South African schoolkid. He was shot and killed by police during the Soweto uprising; black students protesting mandatory teaching in Afrikaans, a language that mostly white and coloured people spoke.
The story is very a emotional, angering one. Be prepared to be affected by the sometimes graphic images and story.
Although the area outside the building is slightly vandalized from time to time, it remains a nice museum and pretty well maintained.
Written 20 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaya
Singapore, Singapore9 contributions
Sep 2022
This museum was filled with footage and photos of the horrible killings of children across townships, who non-violently protested their oppression.
Written 25 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Szabin
London, UK423 contributions
Sep 2022 • Solo
Nice memorial of what happened, true story shown and explained by a photo.
The square is very clean with a statue in the middle.
The square is very clean with a statue in the middle.
Written 20 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean B
Sheboyan16 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Very informative site. Learned a great deal about the Soweto Uprising. Would recommend this museum for anyone visiting Soweto.
Written 21 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alyssa S
2 contributions
Aug 2022
As a South African, I brought my partner from New Zealand to Soweto on his very first trip to South Africa this August. Outside of the Hector Pieterson Memorial we stumbled across a volunteer/guide by the name of Poloko. He explained in amazing detail the history of Soweto and the events of the 1976 shootings/protests. He was extremely friendly, kind, jovial and knowledgeable on not only the story of Hector Pieterson, but went above and beyond and took us on a personal walk around tour of the Vilikazi Precinct and surrounds. Poloko taught my partner some local Sowetan slang like "shap" and "yebo" to use to greet the locals back as we walked through the streets. In total, Poloko spent about 2.5 hours giving us his undivided attention and valuable firsthand knowledge on the history of Soweto. We journeyed from the Hector Pieterson Memorial, to the spot where he was shot, to Mandela House and finally ending at Archbishop Tutu's house. Poloko took great photos of us walking Vilakazi Street and taking in the vibe of Soweto. What an amazing, memorable and emotional experience that was only amplified by Poloko's superb hospitality.
Soweto was amazing, and I would highly recommend contacting Poloko for the best possible experience. His details are +27 73 151 7270.
Soweto was amazing, and I would highly recommend contacting Poloko for the best possible experience. His details are +27 73 151 7270.
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizarenn
Chattanooga, TN413 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
The museum is well done with many artifacts to memorialize not just Pieterson, but also the other children who disappeared during the Apartheid era. There’s a lot of reading and a few interactive exhibits, including some videos that show the violence during those times. An hour is sufficient for this visit.
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Szenta
Valencia, Spain46 contributions
May 2022
Nice adjunct to Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum. Gets into the tragedy of the Soweto protests -- great photographs.
Written 8 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
c_culicchia
Louisiana3 contributions
Is this safe for children?
Douglas T
Lincoln, CA438 contributions
Yes, I would consider it 'safe' for children. Age will be a factor in their understanding of the cause and consequences of Hector's death. This is a memorial for Hector, and an museum of the period around his death.
I need three points about the Hector Pieterson museum
Gigi9636
Decatur, GA31 contributions
Sounds like a school project or report. You could have Googled.
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Claim your listingHECTOR PIETERSON MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial:
- Soweto /Johannesburg and Apartheid Museum Guided Full Day Tour (From RÂ 1Â 429,91)
- Soweto Lunch & Apartheid Museum Full Day Tour (From RÂ 2Â 012,10)
- Soweto Township Cultural Tour incl Apartheid Museum and Nelson Mandela House (From RÂ 3Â 217,34)
- Soweto, Kliptown, Eldorado Park Tour (From RÂ 1Â 378,94)
- Johannesburg and Soweto Tour (6-7 hours) (From RÂ 1Â 787,43)
- Hotels near Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial:
- (1.23 km) Lebo's Soweto Backpackers
- (0.41 km) The Rose B&B
- (0.59 km) Nthateng's B&B
- (0.56 km) The House Soweto
- (0.58 km) Dakalo Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Hector Pieterson Museum and Memorial:
- (0.47 km) Sakhumzi Restaurant
- (0.46 km) Vuyos
- (0.44 km) Kreamium
- (0.47 km) Thrive Cafe
- (0.48 km) Makhelwane Restaurant