Human memory is enthralling in that it can record experiences, store them away in a deep vault of subconsciousness and hearken back triggered with the right questions and guidance from an oral historian. It is a symbolic role in the construction of a historical memory, actively promoting the need not to forget and developing in different ways and in a variety of settings the symbols and events, that would foster the preservation of the vivid recollection of the lived traumatic experience.

Thirty years after the end of apartheid it is hard to imagine what life was like for black South Africans under the apartheid rule (1948–1994). Although this period in South Africa’s troubled history is well documented, the testimonies of people’s personal experiences of apartheid portray a startling picture of conditions in the so-called ‘locations’ (townships). Interviews conducted with elderly residents of Bloemfontein’s (Mangaung) Batho township (est. 1918) by oral historians of the National Museum provided interviewees with an opportunity to testify about their experiences of the apartheid system.

Each year Bloemfontein’s Catholic Portuguese celebrate their May Feast at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in St George Street. This religious festival – typically held over a weekend in May – honours Our Lady of Fátima. Rosa Maria Jardim of Bloemfontein explained that the local May Feast was originally initiated by the Portuguese community to “honour and thank the Virgin Mary for blessings received”.

National Museum Portuguese Project

Say ‘Portuguese soccer legend’ and the name of international football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo probably comes to mind. A Portuguese soccer legend he certainly is, but he is not the only one. Although fading from living memory, the name ‘Eusébio’ still causes goosebumps among supporters of the esteemed Portuguese football club Benfica. Eusébio was the Wunderkind of professional European soccer in the 1960s.

Before 1994, white South Africans – Afrikaners in particular – commemorated the Battle of Blood River on 16 December, also known then as the Day of the Vow or Geloftedag in Afrikaans. For conservative whites that day was equal to the Sabbath, a holy day to be respected and not disgraced by worldly activities.