Zeitz MOCAA
Description
Zeitz MOCAA was founded with the vision of being the first major museum in Africa, and a leading museum in the world, dedicated to contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. From its inception, the aim was to become a place that draws people from around the world and to have the cultural, environmental and social relevance of a prestigious international art museum in an African context. Moreover, the museum was founded around the desire to provide access to a core collection of art to the public; and to create an institution that advances the knowledge, appreciation and preservation of art, personal liberties, equality, freedom of speech, and democracy.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public, not-for-profit institution that exhibits, collects, preserves and researches contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora; conceives and hosts international exhibitions; develops supporting educational, discursive and enrichment progammes; encourages intercultural understanding; and strives for access for all. The museum’s galleries feature rotating, temporary exhibitions with a dedicated space for the permanent collection. The institution also includes the Centre for Art Education, the Centre for the Moving Image, and a project space for emerging artists.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(113)
We enjoyed our visit here as we were new to African contemporary art and wanted to expand our art horizons. Is also an architectural wonder and feat of engineering which is a treat to see in itself. The centre piece 'The Procession' is worth the visit alone. I travelled up and down the lift more than once to gain perspective. The gallery shop carries some very interesting pieces. Love my tshirt. Is all well worth a visit.
A very nice art museum. The museum building is very nice and clean. It has multiple floors with different themes. I could have spent more time here to look at all the art.
The transformation of Cape Town’s old grain silos into the Zeitz MOCAA is genuinely impressive. A bold and imaginative feat of architecture and engineering that is well worth seeing in its own right. Sadly, the contents rarely live up to the container. One arrives expecting creativity, skill, or artistic courage, but instead encounters an almost relentless parade of dimly lit grievance: suffering, guilt, oppression, misery, and social decay presented with such humourless seriousness that one begins to suspect despair itself has become the exhibit. Much of the work felt neither beautiful nor especially skilful, as though craftsmanship and imagination were optional, provided the correct political melancholy was displayed. The prevailing atmosphere seemed less interested in inspiring thought than in assigning blame and cultivating collective self-pity. One wonders whether this obsession with historical condemnation also serves a purpose to distract from the far more dire and immediate failures of contemporary leadership, civic decay, corruption, violence, and the alarming erosion of social trust, dignity, and regard for human life in present-day South Africa. Go for the building. It’s remarkable. Whether the art moves you may depend entirely on your appetite for curated despondency.
I’ve visited Zeitz MOCAA quite a few times over the past three years, and it remains one of the most architecturally striking spaces in Cape Town. The building itself is an experience, with its grand, sculptural design making every visit feel somewhat special. My earlier visits, particularly in March 2023 and again in December 2024, were genuinely enjoyable. As a filmmaker and artist, I have a deep appreciation for creative expression, even when it challenges my personal taste. During those visits, the exhibitions felt engaging, thoughtful, and worth the time and money. However, my most recent visit in March 2026 left me disappointed. Much of the current exhibition felt unnecessarily dark in tone, and several rooms were surprisingly sparse, far more bare than I’ve come to expect from a museum of this calibre. What stood out even more was the number of repeated works I had seen over a year ago. Given the time between visits, I expected a more noticeable rotation in exhibitions. Considering the ticket price, there’s an expectation of freshness and curation that feels intentional and evolving. This time, it didn’t quite meet that standard. That said, Zeitz MOCAA is still worth experiencing, especially for those who appreciate art and design. Unfortunately, this latest visit left me more than a little underwhelmed. (Find attached some of the art worth mentioning in the latest exhibition)
Don't waste your money on it. If it had a purpose, they missed it by a long shot. I didn't even look at the items in the gift shop so as to not support this place.
Had been wanting to go for some time. Worth the visit. No major crowds and no queques to get in. Not really suitable for very young children as most of the areas are poorly lit. More for adults
Great place to learn some South African History through art.
The old grain silos are a striking home for this museum. Allow a little extra time to read and understand the back story to these pieces if you are a new-comer to modern African art (like me).
Easy entrance the museum is a must see when in Capetown. My daughter is an Architect and was blown away by the Architecture design.
Long as I wanted to go and I did not regret. Architecture First: this renovated old grain elevator is amazing Then exhibitions that change regularly to discover and understand contemporary African art I recommend the free guided tour which is super interesting to get to know the museum as a whole
