Sudre Havenga

Collections Management - Humanities

THE RIGHT TO OCCUPY

BY Sudre Havenga March 29, 2019

The most popular word or phrase in South Africa this year is “land expropriation without compensation”. For many years black South Africans were not allowed to own land.

In 2014 a valuable donation was made to the document collection of the National Museum. For the first time the author was struck by the reality of the Group Areas Act of 1950 and the impact it had on black communities. Mrs. Alina Motsumi donated three “Certificates of Occupation” dating from the 1970s along with a “work permit” from 1978.

Collections Management - Humanities

A Presidential love – The Passionate Love Story of Theunis and Tibbie Steyn

BY Sudre Havenga February 12, 2019

“I simply cannot do without you,” was Theunis Steyn’s constant message to his beloved Tibbie over a lifetime together.

Although their love story had its share of difficulties, Theunis and Tibbie Steyn’s relationship, in the words of their friend Dr Hendrik Muller, was indeed “an unmixed blessing”, and one of the most beautiful testimonies to the rich interest of a successful marriage. It deserves a special place in history.

Collections Management - Humanities

The works of Francois Le Vaillant housed in the library of the National Museum

BY Sudre Havenga February 11, 2019

François Le Vaillant, born Vaillant (6 August 1753 – 22 November 1824) was a French author, explorer, naturalist, zoological collector, and noted ornithologist. He described many new species of birds based on birds he collected in Africa and several birds are named after him.

Collections Management - Humanities

NEWS: Clarice Cliff ceramics

BY Sudre Havenga February 4, 2019

In the 19^th century, the labour of working class women and children carried the Industrial Revolution forward. They had nimble fingers, a great asset in the new textile industry. But as is the case today, women were paid less than the men who worked alongside them.

Collections Management - Humanities

The Graaff-Reinet Doll

BY Sudre Havenga November 12, 2018

The first kind of rag doll to be produced commercially in South Africa was the Graaff-Reinet or Laubscher doll of which the National Museum has two in its Textile collection. The Laubscher family of Graaff-Reinet made these dolls during the First World War (1914-1918).