Culture collapse
WATER leaks, mould, rotten ceiling boards and gaping floorboards where white ants have feasted.
This is what greets visitors to the once glorious Empangeni Museum, which is crumbling around the many priceless artefacts housed within.
The decaying facility is also the home of arts, craft and culture, where local visual artists display their works.
After visiting the museum last week, the shocking state of the building prompted concerned resident Ray Peyters to draft an urgent letter to City of uMhlathuze municipal manager Nkosenye Zulu, urging his prompt intervention to save the iconic building from total collapse.
He also forwarded the letter to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The building reportedly had its last facelift in 2005.
“I am limping around the local museum trying to avoid water leaks. The entrance to this once beautiful educational centre is now a disgusting sight as filthy, mouldy woodwork and stained glass greet you,” reads Peyters’ descriptive letter.
“The floorboards have a gaping hole where the white ants have fed, while rotten ceiling board and insulation material dangle above you.”
Peyters further said this was not what ratepayers expect from local authorities, as the priceless, historical furniture and artefacts housed in the museum must be preserved to educate present and future generations.
“This museum is an educational, art, cultural and history museum, and needs to be respected,” he said.
Contractor on site
A source claimed that in recent weeks, they have seen a private contractor on site repairing the roof.
“I do not know the scope of the work, as they only replaced roof sheeting. They did not even change rotten battens, and left a gaping ceiling board dangling,” said the source.
“The yard has been turned into a dumping site. A lot needs to be done there. The contractor was appointed by the City of uMhlathuze.”
Empangeni Museum is the only hope for local artists to display their work, and the presence of white ants has brought fear that they might destroy the entire gallery if not attended to urgently.
When we fail to preserve our past and honour our past heroes and culture, we expose ourselves to extinction as a nation
White elephant
This would leave local artists stranded as the uThungulu Arts Centre in Richards
Bay, which was meant to accommodate artists to showcase their talent, became an object of ridicule after it was neglected and stripped by hooligans.
Located opposite the sport complex in Veldenvlei, the centre was abandoned while awaiting its official opening date. Millions in ratepayers' money went down the drain.
The ZO has published numerous stories on the uThungulu Arts Centre over the years, the most recent in 2021.
The news then was that the Department of Arts and Culture was toying with the idea of bringing in the wrecking ball and razing the building to the ground.
- Prof Musa Xulu
In 2017, the then KZN arts and culture spokesperson Mack Mackhathini told the ZO there was a forensic investigation being conducted into the construction of the building, as recommended by the Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee.
Despite 2018 attempts by Ann McDonnell, the then DA spokesperson on economic development, tourism and environmental affairs, to obtain the results of the forensic investigation, these were not forthcoming and the structure remains an eyesore on soggy wetland to this day.
History preservation
According to the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa’s (CCIFSA) King Cetshwayo chairperson Nhlakanipho Nkwanyana, Empangeni Museum plays a huge role in the region.
“We need such structures because they play a vital role in preserving our history as a region. It carries our indigenous knowledge while promoting culture and natural heritage, as well as offering artists in visual craft and fine arts an opportunity to display their work.
“We can’t let it deteriorate in such a manner that our artists are left destitute without a place to display their work,” said Nkwanyana.
Zululand historian and cultural heritage expert, Professor Musa Xulu said, “A nation without a sense of history and heritage is a weak nation. When we fail to preserve our past and honour our past heroes and culture, we expose ourselves to extinction as a nation.
“I urge the local municipality and provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture officials to ensure the museum infrastructure is well maintained for the benefit of future generations.
“All successful and highly industrialised nations in Europe, the Americas and Asia are mindful of their history and heritage.
“As a developing nation, we cannot ignore these realities,” said Xulu.
Senzo Dube, a fine artist from eSikhaleni, said if the building collapses it will be the end for artists in the region.
“We don’t have many places where we can display and sell our work. If we lose [the museum], it will be the end of us and we will have to sell our work at the roadside,” he said.
City of uMhlathuze communications manager Bongani Gina said the municipality appointed a contractor to carry out repairs, who is still on site.
If we lose [the museum], it will be the end of us and we will have to sell our work at the roadside
– Senzo Dube, fine artist