18 Gangster Museum
18 Gangster Museum
5
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
18 Gangster Museum provide fully guided tour through the museum.You got an opportunity to spend time with ex-prisoners on the replica prison cell.You got to understand the history of South Africa gangs and township lifestyle at large.Pop In !!
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
52 reviews
Excellent
51
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
hanne v
Antwerp, Belgium6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Well guided tour by local guys, so we could better understand the history of the townships. We really felt welcome by everyone and enjoyed an amazing braai. Thanks to Warre, sía and lungo. It was an awesome and at the same time eye opening experience. We'll come back next time we visit south Africa ❤️❤️❤️
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nikolai V
London, UK67 contributions
Dec 2019
Khayelitsha is the home to a very unique and unusual museum. 18GM consists of a shipping container fitted out to look like a prison cell where the museum’s curators, ex-convicts and gang members themselves, tell you of their life of crime and sitting behind bars. The museum doesn’t glamourize thug life, instead telling a cautionary tale and helping outsiders understand the reality of crime and punishment. The museum’s location in Khayelitsha, where the army’s been deployed to fight gangs, grounds it with a sense of here-and-now (unlike, say, the Mob Museum in Las Vegas, which looks at a bygone era). But visitors needn’t be afraid: with Siya and the crew, you're completely safe!
Shout-out to Nomaphelo and Brian!
Shout-out to Nomaphelo and Brian!
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laurie F
Dakar, Senegal1 contribution
Jan 2020
I took my teenage son and my sis visiting from France to this great tour in Khayelitsha. My son skipped school for this, and as it turned out the educational value was outstanding for all of us. Siya and his team are incredibly welcoming, they know how to mix important social comments with great humour and fun. We cycled through the sites, visited young entrepreneurs, had an opportunity to listen to remarkable life stories and sampled delicious grilled meat and spinach bread. What an uplifting day! And a unique experience!
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scarlett
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Thank you for this tour. It take almost 4 hours, we received a lot of information, feel safe in townships. Our guides was very welcoming pleasant and easy going.
I guess one of the best tours, we saw Cape Town from absolutely another point of view.
Must see when visiting Cape Town.
I guess one of the best tours, we saw Cape Town from absolutely another point of view.
Must see when visiting Cape Town.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Zachariah M
1 contribution
Feb 2019
I'd still highly recommend doing a tour of a township. It was an amazing tour, but pricey and the guides were over an hour late... they were very enjoyable though.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Andrew
1 contribution
Dec 2019
Excellent host. It was friendl’y safe fun and super informative thanks very much. Very much an eye opener for us.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mona
2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
To be recommended - Great fun, an informative cultural learning experience in Cape Town. Both Wandisile and Siya took our party of 4 on the tour, we booked rather late the day before. Wandisile introducing us to entrepreneurs and everyday life whilst providing an in-depth background to Khayelitsha culture and history. We enjoyed great conversation at Sikis coffee bar and Ali’s the fashion designer’s store amongst other stops on route to 18 Gangster Museum. Here attendees bravely share experiences to guide future generations. Our tour ended with music and delicious vegan meal at Randz.
Written 31 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
KT Chen
Toronto, Canada4 contributions
Dec 2019
Had the most memorable day on a biking tour with Siya & Wara! These guys are both knowledgeable and engaging (and super well-known in the community - we basically felt like we were travelling with celebrities). The tour was very ethically thoughtful and respectful to the community, while being very fun and informative - we visited a local coffee shop, the mall, an informal settlement, food establishments, and of course the 18 Gangster Museum where we met ex-gangsters and talked about gangsterism and violence. Would also recommend the biking tour because Khayelitsha is super spread out. The tour exposes you to a side of Cape Town that tourists don't typically see but that is way more reflective of the every day life of South Africans. A total must do!!
Written 16 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
18GangsterMuseum
Thank you Katie for visiting our township and we really appreciate your contribution in building our township.Enjoy you whole travelling.
Written 18 December 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Angie
Brighton, UK11 contributions
Nov 2019
I believe that when visiting a country and wishing to get to know the culture of it you must visit non-central and non-touristic places. Yes the Waterfront is beautiful but you can only witness the authenticity and the real culture by walking around other parts of the city centre. Having said that, I truly think is a MUST to visit the 18Gangster Museum and get a visiting tour around Khayelitsha.
We first walked around and visited a local cafe with the best coffee I have ever tasted (for real) and then a few small businesses such as a tailor and a handbag maker. Later on, we passed from the main shopping street and experienced how the markets work. At the end of the walking tour we arrived at the museum and had a unique experience. We saw a replica of a prison cell and learned how things work inside a South African prison by an ex-offender.
What’s brilliant about the museum is the fact that the people behind it are actually making a change by addressing the gang problem to young children (by offering school trips), exposing the situation and showcasing there is an alternative route for them to take.
If you are visiting Cape town and not Khayelitsha you are missing out big time.
Yes, Cape Town is a high crime area but so is every big European or American city so just be street-wise and enjoy the city and the suburbs.
Last but not least, I need to give credits to the guides who are absolutely amazing and we couldn’t have asked for a better team. Very Informative, friendly and fun!
Thank you Siya, Wara, Sam, Siya, Nomaphelo and Brian! <3
Highly recommended and much appreciated! 😍
We first walked around and visited a local cafe with the best coffee I have ever tasted (for real) and then a few small businesses such as a tailor and a handbag maker. Later on, we passed from the main shopping street and experienced how the markets work. At the end of the walking tour we arrived at the museum and had a unique experience. We saw a replica of a prison cell and learned how things work inside a South African prison by an ex-offender.
What’s brilliant about the museum is the fact that the people behind it are actually making a change by addressing the gang problem to young children (by offering school trips), exposing the situation and showcasing there is an alternative route for them to take.
If you are visiting Cape town and not Khayelitsha you are missing out big time.
Yes, Cape Town is a high crime area but so is every big European or American city so just be street-wise and enjoy the city and the suburbs.
Last but not least, I need to give credits to the guides who are absolutely amazing and we couldn’t have asked for a better team. Very Informative, friendly and fun!
Thank you Siya, Wara, Sam, Siya, Nomaphelo and Brian! <3
Highly recommended and much appreciated! 😍
Written 23 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Greta S
Prague, Czech Republic18 contributions
Jun 2019
Our guide was awesome, always smiling and engaging. It’s a great project and I hope you can grow it :)
Written 29 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
archcam
London, UK
Hi is it safe to drive to the museum or best to come as part of a guided tour?
Hervé R
1 contribution
Yes it is safe, especially during the day and along major roads. The risks in Khayelitsha is commonly overestimated by Capetonian who do not live there (I bet most people living in Khayelitsha could tell you that, this is at least what I was told several time from people living in Khayelitsha).
18 GANGSTER MUSEUM (Khayelitsha) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about 18 Gangster Museum
- 18 Gangster Museum is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Mon - Fri 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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- (10.04 km) Vredenburg Manor House
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- Restaurants near 18 Gangster Museum:
- (12.85 km) Fancy Franks
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