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As South Africa prepares to celebrate Human Rights Day, the Iziko South African Museum (ISAM) marks a monumental milestone: 200 years of safeguarding the nation’s natural, cultural, and historical legacy.
Established in 1825, ISAM stands as the oldest conventional museum in Southern Africa, a beacon of knowledge and inspiration that has stretched across generations with its vast collections spanning archaeology, anthropology, marine biology, palaeontology, and social history.
To commemorate its bicentenary, the museum has unveiled a year-long program of exhibitions, lectures, and community initiatives. The celebrations will spotlight ISAM’s 1.5 million-strong collections while confronting its complex colonial legacies.
“The bicentenary of the South African Museum – a reflection on 200 years of ISAM’s existence, provides the opportunity to critically explore its impacts, contributions, changes and difficult legacies,” said Mr Jabulani Sithole, Chairperson of Iziko Museums of South Africa Council.
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Key initiatives for the upcoming year include infrastructural upgrades, the launch of the South African Heritage Hub Centre—a youth entrepreneurial space, as well as host a series of exhibitions, events, and activities.
The year’s program will include a series of public lectures and discussions featuring renowned experts in various fields, guided tours and interactive programs for schools and families, as well as community engagements and outreach work.
In alignment with Human Rights Day, readers are reminded that ISAM offers free entry on commemorative days (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome). A great way to spend Human Rights Day!
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