A decade after the first democratic elections in South Africa, Iziko Museums of Cape Town presents the exhibition Democracy X. It highlights significant events and turning points in our complex past, charting the long journey to democracy, and marking the freedoms achieved thus far. Democracy X also celebrates our heritage of artistic creativity from its very early beginnings until the present.

Democracy X brings together over 300 objects, including archaeological artefacts, contemporary art works, documents, photographs, sound and film Most of these are from Iziko's own collections but the exhibition also includes objects on loan from public and private collections throughout South Africa. Both rare and everyday objects are shown in ways that present less well-known historical narratives. Hopefully each visitor will find something that connects to her or his own past, even if for many the memories evoked are painful.

The Castle of Good Hope
The Castle of Good Hope is itself a significant part of Democracy X. It has many layers of history and meaning - it is the oldest surviving colonial building in South Africa, former seat of the Dutch and British governments, and military headquarters of Cape Town from colonial times through to the post-apartheid period. Today, the Castle provides a symbolic setting in which to reframe the past.