School group admission to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg costs R60 per learner and R65 per accompanying educator, offering a heavily discounted rate compared to standard general admission. Educational visits require pre-booking for groups of 15 or more participants at least four to six weeks in advance, with final confirmation needed one week prior to arrival. These visits include dedicated guided tours and grade-specific workbooks aligned with the South African national curriculum for Grades 6 through 12.
Apartheid Museum School Group Pricing & Rates
The Apartheid Museum offers reduced tariffs for educational institutions to ensure South African history is accessible to learners across all socio-economic backgrounds.
| Ticket Category | School Group Rate | Standard SA Citizen Rate | Inclusions & Requirements |
| Learners (Grades 6–12) | R60.00 | R120.00 | Guided tour and grade-specific educational workbook |
| Educators / Chaperones | R65.00 – R70.00 | R170.00 | Museum entry and guide accompaniment |
| Educator Pre-Visit | Free (Max 2 teachers) | R170.00 | Requires an official stamped letter from the school |
| Minimum Group Size | 15 people | N/A | Minimum threshold to qualify for group pricing |
Note: Group rates apply exclusively to registered primary, secondary, and high school excursions that have booked in advance. Standard rates apply to walk-in student visits.
Free Teacher Reconnaissance Visits
To assist teachers in lesson planning and tour coordination, the museum allows up to two educators per school to visit free of charge ahead of the excursion date. To access this benefit, teachers must present an official letter bearing the school’s formal stamp and confirmation of their upcoming booking. During this pre-visit, teachers can review exhibits, map out focus topics, and discuss specific pedagogical objectives with the museum’s education team.
Curriculum Alignment and Grade Suitability
The Apartheid Museum’s educational programming is structured to complement the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Social Sciences (History) and Life Orientation.
Age Suitability and Restrictions
Due to the explicit and graphic nature of historical artifacts, imagery, and accounts of state-sanctioned violence during the apartheid era, the museum is not recommended for children under 11 years of age. Tours and resources are tailored specifically for Senior Phase (Grades 7–9) and Further Education and Training (FET) Phase (Grades 10–12) learners.
Educational Workbooks by Grade Level
The museum provides specialized printed workbooks to enrich the educational experience:
- Grades 6 & 7: Focuses on early South African history, democracy, symbols of nationhood, and human rights.
- Grade 8: Covers 19th and 20th-century history, industrialization, and early resistance movements.
- Grade 9: Covers key turning points in South African history, including the 1948 implementation of apartheid, the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre, the 1976 Soweto Uprising, and the transition to democracy in 1994.
- Grades 10–12: Focuses on advanced historical inquiry, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), resistance ideologies, and the drafting of the South African Constitution.
Booking and Payment Procedures
Step-by-Step Booking Process
- Advance Reservation: Contact the Apartheid Museum education booking office 4 to 6 weeks before the intended excursion date via email (
[email protected]) or telephone (011 309 4700). - Provide Visit Details: Supply details including the school’s name, grade level, total number of learners, total number of educators, preferred date, and specific curriculum focus areas.
- One-Week Confirmation: Reconfirm the exact headcount and arrival time with the museum one week priorto the visit. Unconfirmed bookings risk cancellation due to strict tour guide allocations.
- Cancellations: If a school is unable to attend, notice must be given at least seven days in advance.
Accepted Payment Methods
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Payment can be made in advance via bank transfer. A printed proof of payment must be handed to the admissions desk upon arrival.
- Cash or Cheque: Cheques must be made out to the S.A. Apartheid Museum and presented upon arrival at the ticket office, or full cash payment settled on the day.
- Refund Policy: Once paid, admission fees are strictly non-refundable.
School Visit Rules, Regulations, and Tour Logistics
Tour Duration and Structure
- Duration: Guided school visits typically run for 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Guide Allocation: Large school groups are divided into smaller cohorts (typically 20–25 learners) with a dedicated museum guide assigned to each cohort to maintain engagement.
- Required Stationery: Every learner must bring their own pen or pencil and a hard writing surface/clipboard to complete the museum activity booklet during the tour.
Supervision and Discipline
- Chaperone Duties: Teachers are required to accompany their groups at all times throughout the exhibits.Teachers remain fully responsible for the behavior and discipline of their learners.
- Respectful Conduct: Due to the solemn nature of several permanent exhibitions (including the Pillars of the Constitution and the Execution Room), learners must maintain quiet and respectful behavior at all times.
Prohibited Items and Facility Rules
- No Photography: Photography, video recording, and commercial cameras are strictly prohibited inside the museum galleries.
- No Food or Drinks: No food, snacks, or beverages are allowed inside the exhibition halls. Snack breaks must be arranged with the tour guide and conducted outdoors on the designated lawns or courtyard areas.
- Punctuality Warning: Arriving late compromises the schedule. Late groups risk forfeiting their allocated tour guide, requiring teachers to conduct self-guided walk-throughs.
Operating Hours and Location
- Address: Corner of Northern Parkway & Data Crescent, Ormonde, Johannesburg, South Africa (adjacent to Gold Reef City).
- Operating Days: Tuesday to Sunday and most public holidays (closed on Mondays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day).
- Operating Hours: 09:00 – 17:00.
- Bus Parking: Free and secure on-site parking is available for school buses and tour coaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum group size required to qualify for the school rate?
A minimum of 15 learners is required to qualify for the discounted school rate of R60 per learner and R65 per educator.Groups smaller than 15 do not qualify for the dedicated educational discount and must pay standard concession entry fees.
How far in advance should a school booking be made?
School tours should be reserved 4 to 6 weeks in advance to secure available guides, especially during peak academic terms in the second and third quarters. Bookings must be officially confirmed with final numbers at least one full week before the visit.
Is the Apartheid Museum suitable for Grade 1 through Grade 5 learners?
No, the museum is not recommended for children under 11 years old due to the graphic nature of the historical exhibitions, photographs, and historical accounts of political violence and executions. Educational programmes and workbooks are designed for Grade 6 through Grade 12 learners.
Can educators visit the museum for free before the school trip?
Yes, up to two teachers per school are granted free admission prior to the school excursion to conduct curriculum planning and reconnaissance. To obtain complimentary entry, educators must present an official letter on the school’s letterhead stamped by the principal.
What educational materials do learners need to bring?
Learners must bring their own pens or pencils and a hard surface or clipboard to write on. The museum provides grade-specific workbooks (for Grades 6–9) upon arrival, which learners complete during their guided walk-through.
What happens if a school bus arrives late for its booked time slot?
If a school group arrives significantly past its scheduled arrival time, the museum cannot extend guide shifts and the school risks forfeiting its dedicated tour guide. In such instances, teachers must guide the learners through the exhibitions independently without an official guide.