麻豆APP

Constitution Hill photo by ConstHill –

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Constitution Hill, Johannesburg

Constitution Hill is a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. One of South Africa’s most important historical sites, the deeply moving and inspirational exhibitions here are split across different sections.

The site is a former prison and military fort that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens.

A walk through the various sites at Constitution Hill is a walk through South Africa鈥檚 history from the pain of the past to the hope of a strong democratic future that is still under construction.

While these sites witnessed so many abuses, they were also the place where many sacrificed their freedom for the democratic rights now enshrined in South Africa鈥檚 Constitution.

Johannesburg鈥檚 Constitution Hill remembers the horrors of the past, and yet embraces the promises of the future, marrying them with the reality of the present.

Nowhere can the story of South Africa’s turbulent past and its extraordinary transition to democracy be told as it is at Constitution Hill. Constitution Hill is a national heritage site situated in the Johannesburg CBD.

The Constitution Hill precinct is located at 11 Kotze Street in Braamfontein, Johannesburg near the western end of the suburb of Hillbrow.

Here are the top 10 intriguing facts about Constitution Hill.

1. The prison was commissioned by Paul Kruger- President of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR)

Paul Kruger, 1883 photo by DieOuTransvaal –

Paul Kruger, the president of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), sanctioned the building of the first high-security prison on a strategic hill overlooking central Johannesburg. Prison labour is used to construct the prison.

The Constitution Hill came to be after Paul Kruger gave a green light for its construction.

2. The hill was formerly the site of a fort that was later used as a prison

Old Fort Entrance (from the inside) photo by The Heritage Portal –

The Old Fort Prison complex is known as Number Four. The original prison was built to house white male prisoners in 1892.

Black prisoners were brought to the prison only after the Twist Street Jail was converted into a police station in 1894. The Old Fort was built around this prison from 1896 to 1899 to protect the South African Republic from the threat of British invasion.

The Old Fort prison was later extended to include “native” cells, called Section 4 and Section 5, and, in 1907, a women’s section was added, the Women’s Gaol. An awaiting-trial block was constructed in the 1920s.

Both political activists opposed apartheid and common criminals have been held in prison. Later, Boer military leaders of the Anglo-Boer War were imprisoned here by the British. The site housed prisoners until it closed.

3. It housed a collection of notorious Prisons- the most dreaded being Number 4

Side view of one of the gates leading to the entrance of the modern architecture of Women Prison, Johannesburg, South Africa photo by Olaniyan Olushola –

Before Constitutional Hill opened its doors as a Museum in 2004, the precinct housed a collection of notorious Prisons which included: The Old Fort, which was a high-security prison built in the 1890s to house prisoners of war during the Anglo-Boer Wars (1899-1902); the dreaded Number Four Prison Block, a so-called 鈥淣ative Prison鈥�, and the Women鈥檚 Prison.

During the Apartheid era, the Prison Complex became a Detention Centre for political dissidents, striking mineworkers, those deemed 鈥渁nti-establishment鈥� and those who simply violated the passed laws of the time.

4. It was dubbed the Robben Island of Johannesburg

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil visits the Prison Complex, at Constitution Hill, in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 03, 2012. photo by President’s Secretariat (GODL-India) –

 It was made infamous as the prison where political prisoners were sent, including former president Nelson Mandela and passive resistance leader Mahatma Gandhi, which led to it being dubbed the Robben Island of Johannesburg.

Many ordinary and famous people were incarcerated here during its years as a Prison This is why it occupies such an indelible place in the consciousness of the nation.

5. Constitution Hill鈥檚 museum includes the original cell used by Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela photo by South Africa The Good News –

The Mandela Cell, which served as Nelson Mandela’s quarters while he was detained here in jail, is a part of the museum.

6. Constitution Hill鈥檚 prison was shut down in 1983

In 1983, the prison was shut down, but it remained standing as a painful reminder of the terrible past. However, this has now been transformed into a vibrant, attractive museum that is dedicated to celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the return to a free and fair South Africa.

7. Its Old Fort was declared a National Monument in 1964

Old Fort Entrance (from the inside) photo by The Heritage Portal –

The Old Fort was declared a National Monument in 1964 although it continued as a functioning prison until 1987, after which the buildings and the site as a whole suffered from neglect and vandalism.

8. Constitution Hill is the site for the Constitutional Court

Constitutional Court of South Africa at Constitution Hill photo by Stefan Sch盲fer, Lich –

The judges of the Constitutional Court started seeking a permanent site for the new Court in 1995. Bricks from the destroyed awaiting-trial wing of the previous number 4 jail were used to construct the new courthouse.

The majority of the jail was destroyed to create room for the new court, but the stairwells were preserved and included in the new structure as a symbol of South Africa’s triumph over its oppressive past. In February 2004, the first court hearing was placed at this location’s new structure.

The public is welcome to visit the courthouse to watch proceedings or observe the atrium’s art collection. The Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs has selected almost 200 modern works for the court’s art gallery, which also holds pieces by Gerard Sekoto, William Kentridge, and Cecil Skotnes.

The court remains one of the city鈥檚 most significant historical landmarks. In addition, it showcases a fascinating architecture that sets it apart, making it an apt symbol of democracy.

9. It has an ever burning Flame of Democracy 

An eternal flame burning on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa photo by Mihi tr –

The Flame of Democracy is situated in one of the ancient prison’s stairwells, amid a plaza, and outside the courthouse’s wooden doors. The Flame was ignited on December 10, 2011, during South Africa’s celebration of the constitution’s 15th anniversary.

10. Constitution Hill has a public participation programme with ex-prisoners

Constitution Hill has a public participation programme called: ‘We the People. Ex-prisoners and wardens of the Prison are invited back, to participate in important research-based workshops!