The Schoemansdal Museum reopens doors after 16 years

Date: 19 September 2024 By: Kaizer Nengovhela

The newly revamped Schoemansdal Museum was officially opened by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Jerry Maseko, on Monday. The museum was rebuilt at an estimated cost of nearly R40 million.

In 2008, a fire completely destroyed the museum, which had depicted much of the history of the local people. The museum featured open-air displays showing how the first Voortrekkers lived in modest brick houses with thatched roofs. It also illustrated how the indigenous tribes lived and addressed the conflict between the settlers and the Vhavenda. The museum is situated near the ruins of the historical town of Schoemansdal, which was evacuated in 1867. This town had once been the economic centre of the Zoutpansberg district but was burned down when the settlers left.

The fire that destroyed the museum occurred a week before Heritage Day in 2008. Arson was suspected at the time, but no one was ever arrested. It took 16 years for activities to resume at the museum.

During Monday’s opening ceremony, MEC Maseko said the newly refurbished Schoemansdal Museum would attract both local and international tourists. He emphasised that tourism remained one of the economic backbones of the province and urged local communities to promote the museum.

Maseko explained that planning for the museum’s reconstruction began in 2021, with construction starting a year later. Most of the work was completed by 2023. “Through this museum, our children and future generations will be able to understand and know their history,” he said.

Inside the museum, visitors can explore the history of the Vhavenda, Vhatsonga, Bapedi, and Afrikaners. The exhibitions aim to explain the area’s diverse cultures, heritage, and natural resources. “The exhibition site will continuously capture the evolving history of the area, preserving the heritage and culture for current and future generations,” Maseko said.

Maseko also provided background on the museum’s history, noting that it began in 1985 when the Transvaal Provincial Administration established the Schoemansdal open-air museum and exhibition hall. Teams from the University of Pretoria conducted excavations and reconstructed parts of the old town.

The opening event was attended by Thovhele Vele Kutama, the senior traditional leader in the area. He highlighted the potential for the museum to create jobs for young people in and around Sinthumule and Kutama. He added that the museum could serve as a catalyst for further infrastructure development, particularly in terms of road construction.

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Kaizer Nengovhela

Kaizer Nengovhela started writing stories for Limpopo Mirror in 2000. Prior to that he had a five year stint at Phala-Phala FM as sports presenter. In 2005 Kaizer received an award from the province's premier as Best Sports Presenter. The same year he was also nominated as Best Sports Reporter by the Makhado Municipality. Kaizer was awarded the Mathatha Tsedu award in 2014.

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