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District Six Museum

P.O. Box 10176
Caledon Square
Cape Town 7905
South Africa

Tel: 27-21-461-4735
Fax: 27-21-461-8745

African Sites of Conscience Network

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What Happened Here?

In 1950, the government of South Africa passed The Group Areas Act, making it illegal for people of different races to live together. In Cape Town, this was justification for the complete destruction of the neighborhood called District Six.

Founded in 1867, District Six was the gateway to Cape Town. Originally a community of freed slaves (brought by the Dutch from Southeast Asia), it was also home to merchants, artisans, laborers, and immigrants. Over the decades it remained a working class neighborhood characterized by a rich mix of cultures and a vibrant artistic and intellectual life.

Despite its prime location, District Six had been allowed to physically deteriorate and became a target for redevelopment. In 1966, it was declared a “whites only” area.

People didn’t believe they would be moved. One man made a cup of tea for the bulldozer driver every day of the demolition. He thought he would be spared because of his kindness. But when it came his turn, they took out his furniture and had his house down in 20 minutes.

By 1981, the destruction was complete; only a few churches and mosques were spared. District Six was a scar on the landscape for decades, as former residents waged fierce and bitter battles against redevelopment.

The District Six Museum, dedicated to the effort to keep alive the memory of District Six, was central to this effort. In 1998, victory came with a land accord agreement, signed at the District Six Museum, that gave the land back to the people.

district 6 land