120 Years in 120 Objects

Join the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in celebrating the museum’s 120^th year of orbiting the sun. Staff and guest curators have chosen one object or item per year of our existence to highlight to the public. Visit the website and our social media platforms regularly to see the latest object and keep an eye out for information about a physical exhibition later this year!

Today’s Object is from 1918

Braille Pocket Watch by Inandi Maree, Senior Exhibitions Manager

Many soldiers lost their sight in the First World War. In 1915, ‘Blind Veterans UK’ was established to cater for the needs of blind soldiers. The braille pocket watch was developed so that blind war veterans could tell the time, thus helping them to reintegrate into society. The numbers on the watch are indicated by raised dots, or braille, and the face of the watch is without glass in order to tell the time by touch only. Unfortunately, we have no further information on who this specific watch belonged to or how it came to the museum.

watch resize

SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT

𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝘄𝗮𝗭𝘂𝗹𝘂-𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘂𝗺

We are thrilled to share that the KwaZulu-Natal Museum will remain an independent Schedule 3A public entity, following the recent decision to cancel the proposed amalgamation of public entities. This announcement, made recently by the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, ensures that the museum will continue to preserve its unique identity and deliver on its mission with the dedication and passion we have always upheld.

This decision strengthens our resolve to serve our communities and carry on celebrating the diverse heritage of our region. We are deeply grateful for the support from all our stakeholders during this time—your belief in our Museum has been instrumental.

As we look ahead with renewed energy, we are more committed than ever to safeguarding and promoting our shared history. Thank you for your ongoing support. The Government Gazette reflecting this decision was officially published today.

SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT

The KwaZulu-Natal Museum's Education Department recently visited Ashram Primary School in KwaDukuza to celebrate International Literacy Day. The event highlighted the vital role of literacy in building a sustainable and informed society. Learners from Ashram Primary impressed everyone with their reading sessions and a special book review of *The Ride with an Angel*, authored by Siyamthanda Zungu, a talented 10-year-old student at the school. Additionally, students shared original poems, while Grade 5 learner Luyanda Zungu captivated the audience with a story about her visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Museum. These talented young readers, poets, and storytellers are all members of the school’s reading club, which meets in the library after school. To encourage this inspiring initiative, the Museum’s Education Department brought gifts and prizes for the students.

BeFunky collage 3

SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT

120 Years in 120 Objects

Today’s Object is from 1920

The Eastern Cape giants (Proandricus skeadi) by Thembeka Nxele, Curator of Oligochaeta

The specimens of this species were collected by Dr Skead in 1920 while he was the director of what would become known in recent years as the Amathole Museum in King Williams Town. He made numerous observations on earthworms between 1958–1971 and most of his notes are a source of information for P. skeadi, hence it was named after him. This species is known from Debe Nek, King Williams Town and Stutterheim. This species is known for producing large casts, which could reach a height of 240 mm, which is accumulated over time. This species is amongst those that are responsible for the “earthworm mounds” observed around King Williams Town, which have changed the landscape of the area. Most people mistake these “mounds” as the termite mounds because of their size and unique structure. Many scholars have studied these “mounds” in order to understand why they are shaped and organized as they are. The notes from Dr Skead provide more insight on the ecology of these earthworms and partly explain the formation of the “mounds”.

1920 1 Notes selected from the original Dr Skead’s notes.

1920 2

SOCIAL2S_SHARE_TEXT

Start
Prev
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
Next
End

120 Years in 120 Objects

Today’s Object is from 1918

Braille Pocket Watch by Inandi Maree, Senior Exhibitions Manager

120 Years in 120 Objects

Today’s Object is from 1920

The Eastern Cape giants (Proandricus skeadi) by Thembeka Nxele, Curator of Oligochaeta

Opening Times