Government's open-air museum in Mvezo did not fail, according to Nelson Mandela Museum (NMM) spokeswoman Nokuzola Tetani.
She disputed claims by Mandla Mandela that because the museum failed, the Mvezo Development Trust approached funders to continue developments in Mvezo.
“The open-air museum was phase one of the development of the Mvezo node, and was supposed to be a holding position as the council developed a comprehensive view of what would be appropriate for the node.
“To develop an institution like a museum, a lot of stakeholder consultation and planning is necessary,” Tetani said.
The museum was always going to “evolve into something else” once the next phase was defined.
“It is in this context that the museum council does not believe the open-air museum failed.
“What is needed is integration of the work done by the Mvezo Development Trust in the form of a family museum in the broader narrative about the life story of Nelson Mandela.”
Tetani said the NMM had a good relationship with the Mandela family, including Mandla.
Tetani said from the onset, the NMM with its three sites – Bhunga, Mvezo and Qunu – was planned to be developed over a number of phases and a period of time.
She said the open-air museum included elements of basic community infrastructure such as a water standpipe in the village.
“The museum council at that time had an inclination towards a community-based type of development programme given the context of the community then.
“Some of the debates were around whether to recreate the Nelson Mandela homestead or just preserve the remains.”
Council’s final decision was to preserve the remains of the Mandela homestead, since in 2000, there was no indication the family would resettle there.
“The council did not deem it appropriate to create a homestead when there would be with no one living in it. Phase two of the museum was to be determined based on understanding the best way to preserve the legacy while putting the Mvezo community development at the centre of the project.
“In 2005, the museum had applied to the National Lottery for funding for further development of the Mvezo node.
“This application was approved in principle, however, delays in conducting the detailed feasibility studies and project plans resulted in the National Lottery not releasing the funding to the museum.”
Tetani said when Mandla approached the then museum council with a plan to rebuild the Mandela homestead, “the then council supported the proposal”.
“It could, however, not agree with Mandla about the process to get the development plans approved as the Mvezo node was already declared a heritage site.” — msindisif@dispatch.co.za/bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Open-air museum at Mvezo no failure
She disputed claims by Mandla Mandela that because the museum failed, the Mvezo Development Trust approached funders to continue developments in Mvezo.
“The open-air museum was phase one of the development of the Mvezo node, and was supposed to be a holding position as the council developed a comprehensive view of what would be appropriate for the node.
“To develop an institution like a museum, a lot of stakeholder consultation and planning is necessary,” Tetani said.
The museum was always going to “evolve into something else” once the next phase was defined.
“It is in this context that the museum council does not believe the open-air museum failed.
“What is needed is integration of the work done by the Mvezo Development Trust in the form of a family museum in the broader narrative about the life story of Nelson Mandela.”
Tetani said the NMM had a good relationship with the Mandela family, including Mandla.
Tetani said from the onset, the NMM with its three sites – Bhunga, Mvezo and Qunu – was planned to be developed over a number of phases and a period of time.
She said the open-air museum included elements of basic community infrastructure such as a water standpipe in the village.
“The museum council at that time had an inclination towards a community-based type of development programme given the context of the community then.
“Some of the debates were around whether to recreate the Nelson Mandela homestead or just preserve the remains.”
Council’s final decision was to preserve the remains of the Mandela homestead, since in 2000, there was no indication the family would resettle there.
“The council did not deem it appropriate to create a homestead when there would be with no one living in it. Phase two of the museum was to be determined based on understanding the best way to preserve the legacy while putting the Mvezo community development at the centre of the project.
“In 2005, the museum had applied to the National Lottery for funding for further development of the Mvezo node.
“This application was approved in principle, however, delays in conducting the detailed feasibility studies and project plans resulted in the National Lottery not releasing the funding to the museum.”
Tetani said when Mandla approached the then museum council with a plan to rebuild the Mandela homestead, “the then council supported the proposal”.
“It could, however, not agree with Mandla about the process to get the development plans approved as the Mvezo node was already declared a heritage site.” — msindisif@dispatch.co.za/bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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