The Hector Pieterson Museum stands in Soweto, the township south-west of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is also known as the Hector Pieterson Memorial Museum. The museum is at 8287 Khumalo Street in Orlando West, Soweto, and it commemorates the 1976 Soweto uprising.
What the museum commemorates
The museum takes its name from Hector Pieterson, one of the first students killed during the protests of 1976. Its purpose is to remember that uprising and the young people who took part in it. For many visitors, the story of the protests is the heart of a visit, and the museum is a place to hear it told close to where it happened.
What a visit offers
- A museum dedicated to the 1976 Soweto uprising and to the students who lost their lives
- A chance to learn about the events through a site rooted in the township itself
- A quiet, reflective setting suited to visitors who want to understand this part of South Africa's history
Because the museum is a memorial, many visitors come with a sense of seriousness, and it suits people who are willing to spend time reading and reflecting rather than rushing through.
Planning your visit
Soweto is a large township with many places to see beyond this museum, so it can be worth setting aside time to explore the wider area. To check current arrangements before you go, you can call the museum on +27 11 536 0611.