An exhibition at Museum Africa in Johannesburg examines the enduring impact of apartheid-era spatial planning on contemporary South African society. “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania,” which runs until 27 February, uses historical documentation, photography, and interactive digital media to illustrate how the country’s urban and rural landscapes remain deeply shaped by segregationist policies officially ended in 1994.
Curator Zama Phakathi states that understanding this history is essential for addressing present-day challenges. “Even though apartheid officially ended in 1994, its spatial and economic structures are still visible in where people live, who owns the land and who has access to opportunities,” Phakathi said. “For us to address the present and have hope for the future, it’s important that we understand history also as a way of preserving it and educating future generations about where we come from as a people.”
A central feature is the digital touchscreen map, “The New Apartheid: How Space Still Segregates.” Created by graphic designer Emma Rodseth-Terblanche and architect Wandile Mthiyane, the map allows visitors to select locations across South Africa to view data, infographics, historical maps, and personal testimonies. The project proved popular at the exhibition’s opening, with Rodseth-Terblanche noting her work aims to foster awareness and social justice. Selecting Soweto, for instance, reveals the story of a commuter who must take three taxis to reach employment in Johannesburg’s northern suburbs, a journey that highlights the persistent financial and temporal costs of spatial segregation.
The exhibition also presents a historical record through the work of renowned photographers such as Ernest Cole, David Goldblatt, and Sam Nzima, whose images documented apartheid’s realities. Artworks by figures including Gerard Sekoto, Sue Williamson, and Willie Bester further explore themes of identity, resistance, and memory.
By connecting past policies to present-day geography and opportunity, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAzania” argues that the spatial legacy of apartheid is not a closed chapter but a living framework influencing inequality, transportation, and development. The exhibition is open to the public with free admission, offering a resource for reflection on how historical planning continues to define social and economic access in South Africa.
