South Africa is a country with a very rich history. We have had many significant years that have shaped us and our culture. History isn’t meant to sit behind glass – it should challenge us and provoke our thinking. Human Rights Day on 21 March 2025 in South Africa reminds us that our past is not just a collection of dates and dusty archives; it’s a living, breathing narrative that has shaped our human rights and democracy today. Connecting South African citizens to their history and road to democracy, formula D_ is using interactive and immersive storytelling to bring history to life – offering citizens new ways to learn about our past.

The Old Fort Visitor Experience is an immersive public exhibit designed by formula D_, nestled within the Constitution Hill Precinct in Johannesburg (formally known as Johannesburg Jail). This experience brings history to life offering an immersive and self-guided journey into South Africa’s past. Visitors are transported through time with compelling audio-visual storytelling, where strategically placed multimedia displays recount the gripping narratives of those who were once imprisoned within the fort’s walls. Game-like interactive activities further engage visitors, allowing them to physically interact with exhibits, deepening their understanding of the historical events that shaped the nation. A highlight of the experience is a holographic projection of Joe Slovo, the renowned anti-apartheid leader, which places visitors face-to-face with his powerful story inside a recreated prison cell.

“Starting with The Old Fort project, we were presented with the big challenge of a largely unpreserved site that needed an interpretive layer to activate ramparts, old cell blocks and a prisoner reception for school groups, local families and tourists,” says Michael Wolf co-CEO at formula D_. “Our design theme ‘shadows of the past’ allowed us to tell stories from the South African war until apartheid’s end, using low tech light and shadow effects causing minimal interference with the artefacts and the atmosphere of the site. When working on a heritage site, it is important to not disrupt or remove surrounding infrastructure and artifacts.”

Many museums in South Africa struggle to get feet through the door because their traditional fashion of presenting content doesn’t work for their audiences anymore. formula D_ uses technology and good storytelling and asks questions that encourage the audience to build their own opinions.

“At the Old Fort, our intention is to unlock the site’s history in manners that encourage critical thinking for visitors of various age groups and educational backgrounds. This intuitive approach to history is more than just about education; it helps us establish a connection with the past. And – in a world where human rights are still contested, it’s critical for these stories to be heard,” adds Wolf.

Why this matters.

For South Africans, Human Rights Day is a reminder of the resilience and sacrifices that paved the way for the freedoms we often take for granted. The Old Fort Visitor Experience serves as a portal into that struggle, making history feel immediate and personal. By empathising with those who struggled for democracy, we gain a clearer understanding that human rights are not merely theoretical concepts but are profoundly rooted in human experiences.

As South Africa continues to navigate complex social and political challenges, the power of storytelling remains a critical tool for awareness, reflection, and change. “In many ways, the Old Fort Visitor Experience urges us to think about our role in upholding human rights today and asks: What kind of history are we creating for the next generation?” says Wolf.