18 Gangster Museum
18 Gangster Museum
4.9
8:30 AM - 6:00 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 !!
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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70 reviews
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Willem S
1 contribution
Nov 2024 • Friends
Our enthousiastic guides started with an excellent introduction on the history of the township. The added value of the activities of the 18 gangster museum was well pointed out. The bike tour was an unforgetable experience. It gave us an insight into this world with so many different flavours. Worthwhile visiting!
Written December 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RHIANNA P
6 contributions
Feb 2025 • Solo
Dismiss any fears or apprehensions you have about visiting Khayelitsha township.
I was met by Co- Founder Wara, he gave me an insightful talk into the history of the township.
I was then shown around 3 different settlements within Khayelitsha, by 2 great local guys called Bheki and Siya. They looked after me throughout and answered any questions I had. Not once did I feel unsafe or unwelcomed by the locals.
Am 100% returning to Khayelitsha on my next trip to Cape Town.
Keep up the good work guys!
I was met by Co- Founder Wara, he gave me an insightful talk into the history of the township.
I was then shown around 3 different settlements within Khayelitsha, by 2 great local guys called Bheki and Siya. They looked after me throughout and answered any questions I had. Not once did I feel unsafe or unwelcomed by the locals.
Am 100% returning to Khayelitsha on my next trip to Cape Town.
Keep up the good work guys!
Written February 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safari11589532787
1 contribution
Nov 2023 • Friends
Had a great time with the team of 18 gangster museum.. They took me on a massive tour around the community of Khayelitsha.. It's historic background, attractions to visit and most important the vibe of it's people.. Planning to visit again with my colleagues..
Written July 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eleonore R
Kalmar, Sweden134 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Our tour in Khayelitsha was not at all what we expected. We had booked the tour well in advance, the walk/bike tour that gave us a lot of experiences in the area. Unfortunately, we did not experience what was promised:
No visit kindergarten
No bikes were available (why wasn't that checked)
No Indian Ocean
No Mall/Trade market
Inget leather craft
We didn't even see the actual museum 18 Gangster museum.
We walked a lot in the area but there was much of the booked tour we never got to experience.
I also got sick from the food at the restaurant.
If we go to Khayelitsha again we will book another tour. We saw other tours in the area that cycled around, any of these we will book
No visit kindergarten
No bikes were available (why wasn't that checked)
No Indian Ocean
No Mall/Trade market
Inget leather craft
We didn't even see the actual museum 18 Gangster museum.
We walked a lot in the area but there was much of the booked tour we never got to experience.
I also got sick from the food at the restaurant.
If we go to Khayelitsha again we will book another tour. We saw other tours in the area that cycled around, any of these we will book
Automatically translated
Written January 8, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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 November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nikolai V
London, UK64 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 February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zachariah M
2 contributions
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 January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeroenvbeeck
1 contribution
Mar 2017
If you want to see both sides of beautiful Cape Town this is a must do experience. Very touching and inspiring story by great social entrepreneurs. I wish you lots of success with fulfilling your dreams
Written March 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Jeroen
Thank you very much for such positive feedback.We really appreciate .We will continue shaping our communities.Thanks
Regards
18 Gangster Museum
Written March 20, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
dongheec2016
9 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
If you go to Cape Town, you would expect a lot of beautiful places such as Table mountain, Camp Bay, Water Front, Cape hope etc. You can just enjoy those places for your holiday and go back home but if you have got more time and interest in 'the lives of township, where most of people living in and dark history of Cape Town' I suggest you to visit 18 gangster museum in Gugulethu township to look around legacy of Apartheid.
Although Apartheid finished 22 years ago, sadly black people's economic situation hasn't been changed that much. Gugulethu is famous for their gangster neighborhoods and the area reveals the real face of South Africa. This interesting museum is inside of the township, the real world.
But the Museum is not only for entertainment but also very instructive especially for kids. It shows lives of gangsters from their cute childhood to desperative ends and you can also experience the mock-up of South African prison in there. If you go there with your kids, it will be surely a great chance to think about their life, future!
Although the size of the museum can be smaller than other museums but don't worry. The most interesting part is talking with the founder of the museum. If you ask him about the museum and gangsterism, whatever you ask this smart guy will show you more than you expect with his attractive pronunciation and attitude. I am sure that listening his story will compensate your time and effort of trip to the museum and the township
There is one thing you need to mind: Don't forget to make a reservation before you visit there!
Although Apartheid finished 22 years ago, sadly black people's economic situation hasn't been changed that much. Gugulethu is famous for their gangster neighborhoods and the area reveals the real face of South Africa. This interesting museum is inside of the township, the real world.
But the Museum is not only for entertainment but also very instructive especially for kids. It shows lives of gangsters from their cute childhood to desperative ends and you can also experience the mock-up of South African prison in there. If you go there with your kids, it will be surely a great chance to think about their life, future!
Although the size of the museum can be smaller than other museums but don't worry. The most interesting part is talking with the founder of the museum. If you ask him about the museum and gangsterism, whatever you ask this smart guy will show you more than you expect with his attractive pronunciation and attitude. I am sure that listening his story will compensate your time and effort of trip to the museum and the township
There is one thing you need to mind: Don't forget to make a reservation before you visit there!
Written December 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Dong Hee
Thank you for your response and we appreciate your visit ,we looking forward to welcome you back in Cape Town.Thank you
#18 Gangster Museum
Written January 6, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
OnAir30179574750
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Friends
It was very amazing visit 18ganstermuseum had so much fun, learnt new things also gained more information about cultural history, it was an amazing experience 🔥
Written July 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
archcam
London, United Kingdom
Hi is it safe to drive to the museum or best to come as part of a guided tour?
Written August 21, 2018
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).
Written August 22, 2018
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