For media images and interview requests, please contact: Zikhona Jafta at mediaofficer@iziko.org.za
This Youth Day, Tuesday, 16 June 2026, marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s history: the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. To honour the immense courage of the youth who changed the course of our nation, the Iziko Museums of South Africa invites local communities, families, and the youth to reflect, learn, and connect with our shared history by offering free entry to selected museum sites.
Youth Day is not just a public holiday; it is a solemn remembrance of the brave school learners who took to the streets on 16 June 1976 to protest the injustices in apartheid schools. The brutal response from the state marked a nationwide turning point in the liberation struggle. Today, that legacy of activism and resilience continues to inspire the global fight for equal education and human rights.
“Iziko Museums is committed to ensuring access to our museums, especially to youth and to breaking down barriers to heritage. We are dedicated to actively reclaiming museum spaces as vibrant, inclusive hubs for the next generation. Our museums’ initiatives seek to inspire, educate, and enthral people from all walks of life, encouraging them to take ownership of their history, engage with the arts, and find inspiration to shape their futures,” says Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Iziko Museums of South Africa.
By removing financial barriers, Iziko Museums is making a dedicated effort to ensure our spaces are fully accessible, welcoming young people to explore their heritage.
Key Exhibition Highlights to Explore:
Iziko Slave Lodge (Aluta Continua Exhibition): The Aluta Continua exhibition profiles the stories of students living in the Western Cape during the 1976 uprisings, highlighting their deeply personal and collective contributions to the fall of apartheid. Visitors can also engage with the powerful exhibition “Who Were the Enslaved?”, which explores themes of survival, identity, and resistance.
Iziko South African Museum: Perfect for curious young minds, this museum offers a look into our deep natural history, featuring prehistoric fossils, dinosaur skeletons, and the iconic suspended blue whale.
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum: Celebrate cultural diversity with “Islamic Art: An African Interpretation”, an exhibition that proudly asserts African identity beyond rigid boundaries of race or religion.
Iziko South African National Gallery: Immerse yourself in visual storytelling showcasing stunning local and international artworks that challenge, inspire, and reflect on our society’s evolution.
ENDS
Issued on behalf of the Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa
Issued by: Tebogo Sebua
Communications Coordinator
Iziko Museums of South Africa
About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko)
Iziko operates 12 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection‑specific libraries in Cape Town. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse African heritage. Iziko is a public entity and public benefit organisation that brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure. The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome).
More info about Slave Lodge
Visitors can also tour the Iziko Slave Lodge, the second oldest remaining colonial building. Once a site of suffering, it has become a place of remembrance and learning. Today, the Slave Lodge helps us think about human rights, equality, and justice.
The powerful new exhibition, Making Freedom: From a History of Slavery to a People’s History, now includes two new sections focusing on stories of resistance, such as the uprisings led by Hermanus Matroos and Galant van de Caab.
Uitgeskryf in Grond highlights the often-erased histories of Namakwa women and amaXhosa migrant men, and their experiences under colonialism, racial capitalism, and apartheid-era labour.
Unshackled History: The Wreck of the Slave Ship, São José, 1794 tells the story of enslaved Africans who were taken from Mozambique and tragically lost their lives on the Cape coast over 200 years ago.
Visit our webpage at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums), Instagram (@izikomuseumssa) or follow us on X (@Iziko_Museums) for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.
