Dundee’s Talana Museum faces financial dire straits amid funding crisis
Rundgren said the Board of Trustees had no other choice but to call on assistance from the community.
Dundee’s internationally-famed Talana Museum – the self-proclaimed historical jewel of Northern KZN – is under threat of becoming dysfunctional as funds are drying up.
“For the last five years, the Board of Trustees have scraped together funds as best as it could to keep the museum afloat, but we have now hit rock bottom,” said chairman Pat Rundgren.
“We have not received any of the funds allocated to us (from the local municipality / Department of Arts & Culture) for the running of the museum.”
Following the collapse of the local and international tourism industry, prompted by the COVID-19 epidemic, international tour groups are beginning to trickle back. This benefits the Dundee area and greater Northern KZN through ‘tourism rands’ generated.
“Talana Museum has considerable international standing. The archives pertaining to the coal mining industry are respected enormously and used by national and international researchers.”
Rundgren stressed that the museum grounds ‘are large and beautiful and to keep them looking neat and tidy, a lot of work must be done’.
“For the last couple of years, retiring staff have not been replaced, leaving a very small nucleus of staff to do all the work. Realistically, this is not manageable by so few people.
Our lawns are shockingly long and Endumeni Municipality has not heeded our regular requests to cut them with the tractor and slasher that mows the verges of the R33 to Vryheid that runs past the museum.
“When they do, the work is very poorly executed and never completed. There are areas of the museum grounds that are currently totally inaccessible to visitors. We have had a number of incidents of visitors falling or stepping into holes that are not visible, and twisting an ankle. There are also concerns over snakes and bee hives.”
He added that the museum has ‘three vintage push petrol mowers whose life-span has now come to an end.
“They are now costing about R5000 a month to keep operational and therefore need to be retired and new ones acquired. The brush cutter is no longer repairable.”
“Sponsorship is needed for the mowing of our lawns with a tractor and slasher from time to time. One could bale the grass and use it for personal use. We would also appreciate the donation of petrol push lawnmowers in good working order that you may not be using.
“Volunteers are needed to help process our vast archival documents. Those who are interested will be trained by former curator Pam McFadden.”
The following are needed:
• Financial donations to the Board of Trustees to assist with the payment of our monthly accounts in respect of insurance, security and maintenance.
• Paint to help refurbish the displays outside that are painted.
• Typing and translating of diaries from the Anglo-Boer War: English, Afrikaans and Dutch (Hollands).
If you are able to help with any of the above or would like more information, please contact any of the Trustees listed below:
Pat Rundgren (chairman) on 072 803 2885;
Pam McFadden (treasurer) on 079 490 5933; or
Siya Africa (curator) on 063 978 8100.
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