Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The Klerksdorp Cultural Museum is a must-visit destination and an ideal holiday activity to take the children over the Easter weekend. Museum Explorer SA has an interesting profile of the museum and Bert Gaffen, historian, highlighted it for readers.
Housed within a Victorian-era sandstone building dating back to 1891, the museum bears the architectural imprint of the renowned Dutch architect, Sytze Wopkes Wierda. During his tenure as State Architect for Paul Kruger’s Zuid-Afrikaanse Republiek, Wierda designed this remarkable structure. Interestingly, from 1891 to 1973, the same building served as a prison. Consequently, several of the museum’s exhibitions today are dedicated to portraying life during the ZAR period and the subsequent Apartheid Era.
The museum’s collection includes a wide range of artefacts and exhibits that highlight the area’s cultural and natural history. Visitors can expect to see displays on the region’s geology, as well as exhibits on the history of mining. There are also displays on the local flora and fauna, including taxidermy animals and interactive exhibits.
One of the most popular exhibits is the totally revamped Pioneer Exhibition, celebrating the early history of all the people of the city, from early hominids, through to the Khoisan, Tswana and Voortrekker pioneers.
Another highlight is its Anglo Boer War exhibition. It includes a modern design, authentic handmade objects by Boer Prisoners of War (POW) in POW camps, a selection of utilitarian objects from various Concentration Camps, and colourful wall panels featuring a wide selection of wartime photos (many of them colourised). The informative text tell the story of the War that touched all South Africans, especially so for the people of Klerksdorp. Klerksdorp housed two concentration camps, one for Whites only and another one reserved only for Africans, a stark reminder of racial segregation that would in the later Apartheid years cause so much hardship.
Also unique is the Korana Rock Art Exhibition. Featuring a selection of ancient rock engravings rescued from a mine site near Ottosdal. These esoteric images hark back to a time when the Khoekhoe people used this as an initiation site for young maidens.
It is a fascinating destination for anyone interested in history and culture. With its unique collection of artefacts and exhibits, the museum offers visitors a window into the past that is both informative and entertaining.
The museum will be closed on Good Friday, but open on Saturday from 14:00 till 17:00, Sunday 14:00 till 17:00 and Monday 14:00 till 17:00.
