Passbook competition highlights local history
The aim of the competition is to promote the museums through experiential learning.
LEARNERS at schools are encouraged to participate in the Durban Local History Museums Passbook Competition. The opportunity is open to Grade 4 to Grade 11 learners and requires visiting three participating museums. The competition runs until 31 August.
Participating sites include the Bergtheil Museum, Old House Museum, Cato Manor Heritage Centre, Pinetown Museum, Palmiet Nature Reserve and the Mariannhill Monastery. The aim of the competition is to promote the museums through experiential learning.
The passbook (‘dompas’), once a hatred symbol of Apartheid, has been creatively adapted for the competition. Worksheets created are in line with Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS). Facilitating learning as well as developing empathy and an appreciation of the value of the participating sites has been the hallmark of the competition.
Learners will have to get their passbooks stamped at the participating sites. The competition consists of a lucky draw segment and an essay-writing segment. The prize for the winning school is R10 000 worth of IT equipment, sponsored by Durban West Community Tourism Organisation.
The ARROWSA Passbook Competition Educational Excursion to the Palmiet Nature Reserve and Bergtheil Museum is a collaborative project with local history museums. School visits of 90 learners per morning may be arranged to other passbook competition sites before the Palmiet Nature Reserve, for example Pinetown Museum or Mariannhill Monastery or, after, Cato Manor Museum or Old House Museum.
Through the Palmiet Nature Reserve Committee, funding has been accessed from WESSA (the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) for the attendance of schools at the Palmiet Nature Reserve. The interdependence of humans, the environment and each other is emphasised by nature walks that expose the fauna, flora, bio-diversity and geology of the reserve.
The visit to the iGwalagwala cliff archaeological dig at the Palmiet Nature Reserve and related artefacts that are housed in the Bergtheil Museum highlight how previous inhabitants of the reserve used the environment sustainably as compared to how we abuse it today.
Visit www.arrowsa.blogspot.com or contact Mary Lange (ARROWSA) on 082 652 7091, marylange7@gmail.com or marylange@telkomsa.net.
