Four Kimberley museums launch museum passport initiative

As part of commemorating Heritage and Tourism month, four Kimberley museums have launched the Museums Passport Initiative.
The aim is to raise awareness about key cultural institutions and increase visitor numbers, whilst showcasing the rich historical offerings in the Northern Cape.

Hailed as the first of its kind, the initiative is meant to significantly boost heritage tourism in the Northern Cape. It involves Transnet Transport Museum based at the Kimberley’s Train Station.

The Big Hole, normally takes visitors through the history of the diamond rush and the development of Kimberley. Designer at the famous McGregor Museum, Kelebogile Genge is thrilled by the interest shown by people, who visit the museum.

“The school kids are very excited as well. We started, we are ready with heritage month having kids coming to the museums and groups coming to the museum. So we are very excited with this initiative.”

A big prize is also up for grab for visitors say the collaborators of the Museum Passport Initiative.

“The museum passport competition is open to everyone over the ages of 14. They visit all the four museums, spending less than 30 minutes in the museum and after every visit they will get their passport stamped. Then they will drip their application into a box at the last museum they visit,” explains the Chief Curator at William Humphrey’s Art Gallery in Northern Cape, Chepane Makgato.

Tourists travelling from afar to visit the four museums in the Northern Cape are having the time of their lives.

Candice Kleinscheldt, a tourist, says: “I think it’s important because it helps us to remember where we come from. What our history is and moving forward. I think it is important that people visit these heritage sites and enjoy them because it is so rich in culture and history. It is awesome.”

“I am very happy to be in this place I am from Taung and decided to visit this place to come and view one of the beautiful site where the biggest diamond was extracted during the difficult past of apartheid we were at,” says another tourist Olebogeng Madibe.

The initiative is expected to attract not only heritage enthusiasts but also those interested in the educational and cultural contributions of Kimberley’s museums.

The initiative will continue until mid-October and those participating stand a chance to win a trip on the luxurious Blue Train.

Heritage & Tourism Month | Kimberley launches Museums Passport Initiative: