South Coasters excited as maritime museum opens
Ms Mqwebu said this museum would benefit the community as people were eager to learn about their history.
Artefacts, crafts, heritage and history are highlights at the new Port Shepstone Maritime Museum which was officially opened on Tuesday this week.
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On a “day to remember”, as it was described by some cheerful South Coasters who were part of the opening celebrations, the museum has finally opened its doors to the public, schools and organisations after several delays.
The MEC for Arts and Culture, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, together with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality mayor Cynthia Mqwebu, cut the ribbon, unveiled the plaque and led a bunch of South Coasters to a diverse representation of art scenes, exhibitions, history and heritage.
It took months of hard work from architects, researchers and artists to put together the state-of-the-art museum at a cost of more than R19-million.
The museum is one of the noticeable and appealing features along the Port Shepstone beachfront.
MEC Sithole-Moloi said the museum was built in a bid to preserve and promote history and heritage.
The museum consists of offices, educational spaces and archives. The main exhibition area is triple the size of the previous museum and is backed by the three archive storerooms.
Other features include ablution facilities for disabled people, a boardroom with electronic conference facilities, two offices, 11 surveillance cameras and a cleaner’s room.
An exhibition of photographs and artworks that tell the history and culture of the South Coast is set up at the centre of the museum.
Knowledgeable curators guided visitors throughout the gallery and gave a bit of background on the exhibitions, portraits, beadwork and crafts made by local residents.
Visitors were able to explore Nelson Mandela’s life, his family and journey from childhood to being a prisoner and peacemaker.
Elements of Madiba’s life were also brought to life in audio-visual pieces using images from his childhood that captured the most formative events of his life.
Visitor, Zwakele Mpisana, who came all the way from KwaNzimakwe, said he was very excited about the museum, and was keen to learn more about history and struggle icons.
“The museum itself is beautiful, the displayed art works and exhibitions are definitely an eye-opener.”
Ms Mqwebu said this museum would benefit the community as people were eager to learn about their history.
“The public, schools and organisations will no longer have to travel to learn about their history. The community will also benefit and the museum will promote this area.”
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