Museum exhibits depict more inclusive history
New displays ‘about transformation’ says Thobile Mdlela
Former Queenstown and Frontier Museum head Thobile Mdlela handed over historical exhibitions at the institution recently, with the aim to provide a more inclusive history of the region and all its people.
Along with the existing informative material on display at the museum, locals will be able to explore, in-depth, the brutal encounter of the Queenstown Massacre of November 12 1985, the battle of the Bullhoek Massacre of May 24 1921, the iconic site guide of the Chris Hani District Municipality Liberation route and the untold stories of the Queenstown Little Jazz Town.
“It is all about transformation. I am trying to bridge the gap between the old SA and the new one and also through covering local stories, not only in Komani but throughout the district for students to benefit through research,” Mdlela said.
Mdlela said the exhibition was also a way of paying tribute to people who had contributed in the liberation struggle.
Queenstown and Frontier Museum board member, Sipho Ngwetsheni, said the team saw fit to instantly approve Mdlela’s proposal for the exhibitions.
“We approved it because our museum mostly depicts the history of white people. Now these exhibitions tell the stories and the history of our people.”
Mdlela said he started compiling the material in 2020 but due to Covid-19, processes were delayed.
A service provider was tasked to produce high-quality content, which was done. Mdlela thanked Fundiswa Ceza of Avbob for assisting.
“This will help the youth to understand and know the history of this town and the contribution made by our struggle stalwarts,” said Queenstown massacre victims’ spokesperson, Material Mawethu Matshoba.