Zeitz Mocaa

Description

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is a public, not-for-profit contemporary art museum which collects, preserves, researches and exhibits 21st century art from Africa and the diaspora. With over 100 galleries, spread across nine floors, the museum displays cutting-edge work in its permanent and special exhibitions. Expect to view remarkable pieces from Kendell Geers (SA), Ghada Amer (Egypt), Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe), Mouna Karray (Tunisia) and many more. Housed at the V&A Waterfront in a stunning venue designed by architect Thomas Heatherwick, the building itself is as much a piece of art as its collection.

The museum, a towering 100,000 square foot space, opened in September 2017. It was named after Jochen Zeitz, the former CEO of Puma, who lent his name and vast private collection. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the space is dedicated to contemporary African art and is the largest museum – comprising more than 100 galleries over nine floors –to open on the continent in more than a century. It focuses exclusively on 21st-century work from Africa and the diaspora, centred around Zeits’private collection.

It is tempting to snap a picture of yourself outside the museum and claim that you have been, but the real intriguing feature is the uniquely designed 10-storey-high atrium only seen from inside. With free entry, all year, for under 18s and free entry for African citizens on Wednesdays from 10am –1pm, there is no excuse to miss a trip to the Zeitz MOCAA. The best strategy is to purchase a ticket online to avoid the queues at the entrance, and arrive around 11:30am to allow yourself an hour and a half in the gallery before getting a bite to eat in either the museum restaurant or one of the many beautiful restaurants on offer at the Waterfront. Once you have satisfied your hunger, return to the galleries for as long as you desire. Keep an eye on the website for time-based activities and events, such as the Museum Night. If your history of African art is limited, it may be a good idea to visit the Iziko South African National Gallery to provide context to the contemporary works exhibited in the Zeitz MOCAA.