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Workers' Museum - Newtown, Johannesburg

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Housed in an old migrant labour hostel compound, the Workers' Museum provides a detailed look at the lives of the workers who lived there. (Image adapted). © Museum Explorer

Workers' Museum - Newtown, Johannesburg

The Workers' Museum in Newtown, Johannesburg, is a poignant testament to South Africa's labour history, particularly under apartheid. Situated in the old municipal workers’ compound, the museum highlights the harsh realities of life for black migrant labourers who worked for the city. Built in the early 20th century, the compound was originally used to house migrant workers under inhumane conditions, with shared facilities and limited personal freedoms.

The museum sheds light on the system of migrant labour and its pivotal role in Johannesburg’s growth. It explores themes of exploitation, segregation, and resistance. Visitors can view preserved living quarters, communal facilities, and exhibits that recount workers' experiences and their role in building the city’s infrastructure.

The museum's exhibits focus on the lives of the workers, highlighting their resilience and the unjust systems they endured. Artifacts, photographs, and oral histories help paint a vivid picture of life in the compounds. The site serves as a memorial to the often-overlooked contributions of labourers and a reminder of the human cost of Johannesburg’s development.

Contact details for the Workers' Museum:
Address: Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Phone: +27 (0)11 833 5624
Email: belindah@joburg.org.za  (Belinda Hlaka Workers Museum Curator)


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