Ditsong Military Museum

Ditsong Military Museum Overview

The Ditsong National Museum of Military History, situated in Saxonwold, Johannesburg, is the only museum of its kind in South Africa.

During the First World War (1914 - 1918) many of the belligerent nations went to great lengths to collect and preserve material to commemorate the role of their soldiers during that conflict. South Africa neglected to preserve a record of this participation in the form of a museum and, unfortunately, much of the material heritage relating to this period was dispersed.

This failure was recognized because in 1940, shortly after South Africa’s entry in to the Second World War (1939 - 1945) Capt J Agar-Hamilton was appointed official historian of the Union Defence Forces. The formation of an Historical Research Committee ensured the preservation of documents and materials of military interest, laying the foundation for the eventual establishment of a museum.

The museum, which became known as the South African National War Museum, was officially opened by the then Prime Minister of South Africa, Field Marshal J C Smuts on 29 August 1947. In 1975 the Museum’s name was changed to the South African National Museum of Military History and its scope was expanded to include the history of all military conflict in which South Africans have played a part. In 2010 the name was changed once again to the present title.

Displays not only reflect historical aspects but also illustrate technological development in warfare. Two historic Bellman Hangars house a variety of thematic displays such as the Anglo-Zulu War, the Anglo-Boer War, South Africa’s role in the First and Second World Wars, resistance movements such as Umkhonto-we-Sizwe, medicine in war, the development of combat uniforms and equipment, the development of small arms, resistance to war, and so on.

The Museum is also regarded as the spiritual and a symbolic home for regular and reserve soldiers and veterans in South Africa. The South African Military History Society is an affiliate of the Museum while number of other organizations such the South African Arms and Ammunition Collectors Association, the South African Arms and Armour Society, the Gold Reef Scale Modelers and the Warsaw Flights Commemoration Committee are considered stakeholders in the Museum.

Opening hours are 09:00 to 16:30 every day excepting for Christmas Day and Good Friday. The War Store and Vargas Café located on the premises are also open during these hours.

Entrance Fees

Adults R 22,00

Senior Citizens R 11,00

Children R 11,00

The Museum is located in Erlswold Way, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at the northern end of the Johannesburg Zoo.