Backgound

The KwaZulu-Natal Museum is home to some of South Africa’s most important heritage collections, and is a popular tourist and educational amenity. The Museum is also an acclaimed centre of scientific research – staff is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and display of objects of cultural and scientific value. It is the custodian of collections in the areas of archaeology, rock art, historical anthropology (particularly relating to the Zulu and Nguni people), European settler history, seashells, insects and other forms of animal life.

Addressing Space Constraints and Preservation Needs

In a significant move to address its growing needs, the KwaZulu-Natal Museum is set to relocate to the historic St Anne’s Hospital property at 96 Jabu Ndlovu Street. This relocation - supported by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) - aims to resolve several pressing issues faced by the Museum at its current location.

The current site at 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street, dating back to 1904, has become increasingly inadequate for the Museum’s expanding requirements. The lack of space for offices, exhibition areas, heritage collection storerooms, and educational facilities has necessitated the move. The new site promises ample room for growth, enabling the Museum to better serve its visitors and preserve its collections. Additionally, the existing location no longer offers ideal conditions for the preservation of many of the heritage collections. The move to the old St Anne’s Hospital site will facilitate state-of-the-art preservation facilities, ensuring the Museum’s invaluable artefacts are kept in optimal conditions.

Improving Visitor Safety and Accessibility

Another critical concern at the current site is the lack of adequate parking, which affects accessibility and poses a safety risk for visitors, particularly school groups and children. The new location will address this issue by providing sufficient parking facilities, including secure dedicated drop-off points for buses.

Project Overview

The redevelopment of the St Anne’s Hospital property into a modern museum complex will involve a mix of restoration, demolition, and construction to create a comprehensive edutainment destination. The abandoned old St Anne’s Hospital building, constructed in the late 1800s and early 1900s, will be transformed into the new home for the KZN Museum. The new museum will integrate modern architectural forms, grounding the building in Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg through its form and materials.

Key features of the new KZN Museum will include:

-    Large exhibition spaces and increased office space

-    Modern state-of-the-art storage and research facilities for natural and human sciences collections

-    Educational facilities including lecture theatres and a multi-purpose hall

-    Visitor amenities such as an internet café, museum gift shop, secure undercover parking, drop-off points, and bus parking for school and tour groups.

Progress Overview

The project has been in planning for some time, with official planning commencing in March 2020 following the appointment of the professional team, led by Sakhisizwe Architects. Currently in the design and development stage, the project has experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexities of obtaining approvals for development on a heritage site. As the custodian of heritage sites in KwaZulu-Natal, the KwaZulu-Natal Amafa and Research Institute (Amafa), has to approve development plans. The project has recently received “approval” (i.e. no objection) of the proposed development. However, a further approval will be required before structures are demolished, altered, or extended. The Amafa processes include elements of public participation processes.

The project value ranges in the hundreds of millions. The scope of work includes extensive demolition and restoration of selected buildings, as well as the construction of new facilities. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2025 and is projected to be completed by December 2029.

This redevelopment aims to enhance the Museum's capacity and visitor experience, ensuring the preservation of important cultural and scientific artefacts while providing modern amenities and educational facilities.