The world-renowned Nelson Mandela Museum housed in the historic Bhunga Building in Mthatha will be officially re-opened on Monday, five years after its closure to the public.
It was closed for a major R60-million revamp.
The reopening of the museum, which houses Nelson Mandela’s gifts and memorabilia, will be the region’s centrepiece in commemorating International Mandela Day.
The museum’s spokeswoman, Nokuzola Tetani, said the reopening would provide visitors with a deeper, richer story of the international struggle icon.
“The meaningfulness of Madiba’s life will be brought out even more.”
Mandela’s grandson and museum council member Ndaba Mandela said Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and other cabinet ministers and ambassadors, plus Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle and other MECs will be attending.
Ndaba said the museum was part of the bigger Mandela family.
“We are excited as the family and the museum council at the relaunch of the museum. It means a lot to all of us.
“We are happy it will again open its doors to the public for them to see the treasure of the nation,” said Ndaba.
Upgrades include:
l Improvement of the display areas in the 89-year-old Bhunga Building;
l Construction of a new wing so that more Madiba treasures presently in storage can be seen by the public;
l Making the museum even more child friendly with a learner activity centre, a reference library and a children’s exhibition room;
l Modern video technology has been installed depicting stories of Madiba’s journeys across the world;
l Putting in internal climate control and robust security; and
l Building an orientation centre, a new 400-person auditorium, four multimedia rooms and exhibition halls.
Dubbed “the bigger long walk to freedom”, the museum will trace the footsteps of Madiba from his early childhood as a rural boy in Mvezo, Qunu and Mqhekezweni to his arrival on the world stage as a great leader.
“Visitors will be able to see a replica of Mandela’s Robben Island prison cell and some of the gifts he received from world leaders during his life. The cell was built by the SA National Defence Force and donated to the museum, in partnership with the Robben Island Museum,” said Tetani.
She said the museum was themed on five characteristics of Madiba: the comrade, the leader, the prisoner, the negotiator and, finally, the international statesman.
The building was handed over to contractors in October 2011 to conduct the R60-million overhaul and it was expected it would be finished within three years. However, it took five years.
Built in 1927 to house the United Transkeian Territories general council, the expanded district council, Bhunga Building later saw service as the parliament of the Transkei bantustan.
Madiba museum set to reopen
The world-renowned Nelson Mandela Museum housed in the historic Bhunga Building in Mthatha will be officially re-opened on Monday, five years after its closure to the public.
It was closed for a major R60-million revamp.
The reopening of the museum, which houses Nelson Mandela’s gifts and memorabilia, will be the region’s centrepiece in commemorating International Mandela Day.
The museum’s spokeswoman, Nokuzola Tetani, said the reopening would provide visitors with a deeper, richer story of the international struggle icon.
“The meaningfulness of Madiba’s life will be brought out even more.”
Mandela’s grandson and museum council member Ndaba Mandela said Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa and other cabinet ministers and ambassadors, plus Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle and other MECs will be attending.
Ndaba said the museum was part of the bigger Mandela family.
“We are excited as the family and the museum council at the relaunch of the museum. It means a lot to all of us.
“We are happy it will again open its doors to the public for them to see the treasure of the nation,” said Ndaba.
Upgrades include:
l Improvement of the display areas in the 89-year-old Bhunga Building;
l Construction of a new wing so that more Madiba treasures presently in storage can be seen by the public;
l Making the museum even more child friendly with a learner activity centre, a reference library and a children’s exhibition room;
l Modern video technology has been installed depicting stories of Madiba’s journeys across the world;
l Putting in internal climate control and robust security; and
l Building an orientation centre, a new 400-person auditorium, four multimedia rooms and exhibition halls.
Dubbed “the bigger long walk to freedom”, the museum will trace the footsteps of Madiba from his early childhood as a rural boy in Mvezo, Qunu and Mqhekezweni to his arrival on the world stage as a great leader.
“Visitors will be able to see a replica of Mandela’s Robben Island prison cell and some of the gifts he received from world leaders during his life. The cell was built by the SA National Defence Force and donated to the museum, in partnership with the Robben Island Museum,” said Tetani.
She said the museum was themed on five characteristics of Madiba: the comrade, the leader, the prisoner, the negotiator and, finally, the international statesman.
The building was handed over to contractors in October 2011 to conduct the R60-million overhaul and it was expected it would be finished within three years. However, it took five years.
Built in 1927 to house the United Transkeian Territories general council, the expanded district council, Bhunga Building later saw service as the parliament of the Transkei bantustan.
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