The presence of the museum at the South African Museums Association Conference (SAMA)

The museum staff made a significant impact at this year's SAMA National Conference held at Luthuli Museum in KwaDukuza from October 2nd to 6th, 2023. During the event, nine outstanding papers were presented, with one of them earning the esteemed title of "Best Natural Sciences Paper." The presenters excelled in showcasing the museum's diverse programs and research initiatives. Notably, Dimakatso Tlhoaele stood as a vital member of the organizing committee, further contributing to the success of the conference.

Members at the Luthuli Museum, back row: Mr M. Munzhedzi, Mr S. Zamisa and Mr P. Madondo. Front: Dr T. Nxele, Mrs N. Manukuza, Ms D. Tlhoaele, Mrs M. Ndlela and Mr M Ziganira. Dr I Muratov (absent from photo).

We have been gathering stones for another isivivane in the museum! The CVA Artist Collective, made up of staff and students of the Centre for Visual Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal, is working with the KwaZulu-Natal Museum’s Department of Human Sciences on the isivivane project, which is a creative experiment that explores the use of art as a mode of enquiry within the museum. SIVIVANE SOGOGO! this year is the final moment in a trilogy, building on isivivane in 2021 and ukuphosa itshe esivaneni in 2022. This year we are working with stones from the museum’s own collections, taking them out of storage and playing with them creatively in the public galleries. Among these are items from the ‘teaching collection’ including hand-axes, bored stones and grindstones.

SIVIVANE SOGOGO! opens on 3 October @ 6pm. RSVP to Nozipho at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 033 345 1404.

Watch this space for more information!

The ‘teaching collection’ is made up of items that have no provenance, and so are not useful for archaeological research. It is a set of materials that people are allowed to touch and hold. Photo: J. Wintjes.

To prepare these objects for display they need to be catalogued. Cataloguing involves giving each item a unique number, brief description and photograph. Photo: M. Munzhedzi.

Brenda O’Connor Generous Mollusc Donation

In a heart-warming gesture of cultural preservation and community spirit, Brenda O’Connor has recently made a remarkable donation to our museum. After a very long time of not receiving donations Brenda O’Connor’s contribution stands out because the material donated was their family treasure that they collected in the 1950’s to the 2000’s whenever they went to the beach as a family.

The donation comprises a collection of molluscs collected mostly from Shelly Beach. It includes a wide array of shells that showcase the diverse beauty of these fascinating creatures, from the intricately patterned shells of cowries to the delicate spirals of seashells.

Since the KZN Museum is not just a repository of artefacts; but a hub of education and research. Brenda O’Connor’s mollusc collection will be invaluable to behind the scenes visitor tours and for educational purposes. Her donation also strengthens the connection between our museum and the local community. When individuals like her choose to share their personal collections with the museum, they contribute to a sense of belonging and shared identity within our community.

Brenda O’Connor’s act of generosity is an inspiring example of how individuals can make a meaningful impact on the preservation of cultural heritage. Her donation encourages us all to consider how we can contribute to the cultural wealth of our community.