Staff payment disputes at the East London museum and Amathole museum in King William’s Town has led to the tourist attractions being closed at weekends and public holidays.
Both museums are administered by the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture.
After being contacted by concerned members of the public, the Daily Dispatch yesterday called the museums to confirm if they closed at weekends and holidays.
Director at the Amathole Museum, Fred Kigozi, confirmed the facility had been closing at weekends since 2011 because the department stopped paying overtime.
“For some reason we were told that there was no budget available to pay for overtime. Staff members are still being owed monies for overtime worked a few years ago.
“This is embarrassing. People call me almost every weekend wanting to know why we are not opening,” said Kigozi.
Assistant director at the East London museum, Geraldine Morcom, said having to close on weekends was very distressing and worrying.
“In the past we used to open all year round except for two days – Good Friday and Christmas Day.
“However, a few years ago we stopped operating on weekends and public holidays because the staff were not getting paid overtime” said Morcom.
Morcom and Kigozi referred further queries to the department.
However, numerous attempts for comment from the department were unsuccessful.
The department’s senior manager responsible for museums Similo Grootboom said he was on leave and directed the Dispatch to the head of department, Mzolisi Matutu.
Matutu could not be reached. According to his personal assistant he was in a meeting.
Mdantsane resident Mzwandile Mqotyana said it was “shocking” museums did not open on weekends.
“I think weekends are the best time for the public to go and learn about the history of this country and many more good things.
“I wish the relevant department can take note of this problem and rectify this unfair decision,” said Mqotyana.
Cambridge resident, Riana Nel said she used to take her son to the East London museum when he was still small.
When she planned another trip to the museum this year with her son who is now eight years old, she was shocked to hear it was not open on weekends.
“I work on weekdays and it such a shame that my son will not be able to fully explore his interest in history due to pay disputes,” said Nel.
Both Morcom and Kigozi said they felt the museums were not fully serving the public.
“We hope an amicable decision can be reached so we can open again on weekends,” said Kigozi. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
No overtime, no weekend museums
Both museums are administered by the Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts and culture.
After being contacted by concerned members of the public, the Daily Dispatch yesterday called the museums to confirm if they closed at weekends and holidays.
Director at the Amathole Museum, Fred Kigozi, confirmed the facility had been closing at weekends since 2011 because the department stopped paying overtime.
“For some reason we were told that there was no budget available to pay for overtime. Staff members are still being owed monies for overtime worked a few years ago.
“This is embarrassing. People call me almost every weekend wanting to know why we are not opening,” said Kigozi.
Assistant director at the East London museum, Geraldine Morcom, said having to close on weekends was very distressing and worrying.
“In the past we used to open all year round except for two days – Good Friday and Christmas Day.
“However, a few years ago we stopped operating on weekends and public holidays because the staff were not getting paid overtime” said Morcom.
Morcom and Kigozi referred further queries to the department.
However, numerous attempts for comment from the department were unsuccessful.
The department’s senior manager responsible for museums Similo Grootboom said he was on leave and directed the Dispatch to the head of department, Mzolisi Matutu.
Matutu could not be reached. According to his personal assistant he was in a meeting.
Mdantsane resident Mzwandile Mqotyana said it was “shocking” museums did not open on weekends.
“I think weekends are the best time for the public to go and learn about the history of this country and many more good things.
“I wish the relevant department can take note of this problem and rectify this unfair decision,” said Mqotyana.
Cambridge resident, Riana Nel said she used to take her son to the East London museum when he was still small.
When she planned another trip to the museum this year with her son who is now eight years old, she was shocked to hear it was not open on weekends.
“I work on weekdays and it such a shame that my son will not be able to fully explore his interest in history due to pay disputes,” said Nel.
Both Morcom and Kigozi said they felt the museums were not fully serving the public.
“We hope an amicable decision can be reached so we can open again on weekends,” said Kigozi. — arethal@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos