Welcoming remarks by the mayor of KwaDukuza at the occasion of the KwaDukuza Museum Handover Ceremony at Stanger High School on 18 May 2024.

Programme Director;

KZN MEC for Sport, Art & Culture, Dr. N.N.G. Mahlaba;

iLembe District Mayor, Cllr. Thobani Shandu;

iLembe District Speaker, Cllr. Dolly Shandu;

Councillors within Ilembe family of municipalities;

Provincial government officials led by Dr. Sifunda, the Head of Department;

State entities and Non-profit organisations;

Municipal officials;

Members of media;

 

Ladies and gentlemen, it is an honour and privilege to address you this morning as we commemorate the occasion of the International Museums Day.

 

This morning I was with the MEC at the official hand-over ceremony of the KwaDukuza Museum located opposite King Shaka’s resting place. What an exciting moment, what an historic and mutually rewarding partnership between KwaDukuza municipality and the department.

 

The museum will be used to showcase our heritage and the indelible strides of our nation and that of our past.

 

It is therefore an honour for me to welcome you to the home of the great King Shaka Zulu kaSenzangakhona, Ilembe eleqa’amanyamalembe nkokukhalipha!

 

Significantly, KwaDukuza is where the Zulu Kingdom was founded, a sacred place where the King spent the best part of his life’s-work, building his Nation. We are proud that the Zulu nation stands tall even today.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, KwaDukuza is also home to the late President General of the African National Congress (ANC), Inkosi Albert Luthuli who became the first African Nobel Peace Prize winner.

 

As a man of many examples, Luthuli inspired millions to join hands with the poor, the voiceless and the marginalised.

 

Fifty-seven (57) years on, the apartheid forces have not found moral high ground and goodness to disclose the circumstances surrounding his death.

 

Earlier this week, we received news that an inquest into his mysterious death will be re-opened - through the Judge President of the High Court of South Africa.

 

We thank the national government for this giant leap forward. We trust that the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) recommendation to re-open the inquest will not only open old wounds but will also bring about justice and offer closure to the Luthuli family, the nation and to the global community.

 

Programme Director, the commemoration of the International Museums Day coincides with the 90th birthday of the late Walter Max Sisulu who was a strong anti-apartheid activist and member of the ANC. He was Accused No.2 in the Rivonia Trial alongside President Mandela who was Accused No.1. Sisulu served more than 25 years' on Robben Island as a political prisoner.

 

Let us all use this occasion to pay tribute to our forebears who laid down their lives for the project of building non-racial, non-sexist, and united South Africa.

 

MEC, it is difficult to avoid the feeling of excitement knowing that the KwaDukuza Museum is alive and well for its people.

 

The book of Psalm 118 verse 24 says we must rejoice today and be glad in it as this is the day which the Lord has made!

 

We take pride in expanding the heritage of our forebears who envisioned a democratic South Africa and a better future for all.

 

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to commend the initiative of the municipal council of KwaDukuza and the provincial cabinet for expanding our museum and, above all, the vision of a better future for all.

 

We want our museums to be the centre of engagement and sharing of our diversity, heritage, and a place of restoring our sense of pride and appreciation for our deep history.

 

In the words of the first President of Botswana, Sir Seretse Khama in 1970, he warns Africans of failing to write their own history, he would aptly put it, “A nation without a past is a lost nation, and a people without a past is a people without a soul”.

 

Museums are the centred on our philosophy and common humanity - for they help inspire debate and progress and best represent the lives of our people and history.

 

Wishing you a fulfilling International Museums Day!

 

Thank you!

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