In Apartheid South Africa blacks were not regarded as being full citizens of South Africa proper and were more or less banished to so-called bantustans or black homelands. Blacks who wished to obtain or keep work in "white areas" had to obtain a so-called passbook. The pass was a temporary document giving black labourers permission to enter and/or work in white areas. Employers had to regularly sign these documents and indicate that a particular individual was still in his/her employment. Loosing your job could very well mean loosing your pass.

Being caught on street without a pass or with an invalid pass entitled a police member to arrest you on the spot. This intensely racist system was administered in cities and towns by pass offices. With the abolishment of the Group Areas Act in the lead-up to the dramatic changes of 1994 pass offices across South Africa where closed. KwaMuhle is located in one of these disused pass offices. Mainly photographic exhibitions open a window into the past exploring the Pass System, Apartheid in general and the experience of those subjected to it.

Other exhibitions focus on contemporary Zulu culture including traditional healing and religion. Temporary exhibitions are also housed in the museum from time to time. We at Africa Deluxe Tours very strongly recommend a visit to the museum. By reminding humanity of a dark chapter in our past it teaches us important lessons to be heeded in our common future.

Also see: Apartheid Museum.