Museum Times: Changing Histories in South Africa

Museums in post-apartheid South Africa flourished, with renovations and new museums focusing on contesting histories and the growth of resistance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 10 June 2022
Publisher: Berghahn Books

Museums thrived in post-apartheid South Africa, with renovations and new museums opening. These museums sought to depict violence and suffering under apartheid and the growth of resistance. From the renowned Robben Island Museum to the almost unknown Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, the author demonstrates how institutions concerned with the conservation of the past are simultaneously sites for changing history.

In post-apartheid South Africa, museums experienced a remarkable flourishing. Older museums embarked on extensive renovations, while at least fifty new museums emerged. The primary focus of these museums was to portray the atrocities of apartheid and the resilience of the resistance movement. These unconventional journeys were meticulously documented as museums emerged as pivotal spaces for challenging historical narratives. The author showcases a diverse range of museums, including the renowned Robben Island Museum and the relatively lesser-known Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum. Through their exploration, the author highlights how these institutions, traditionally tasked with preserving the past, have also become dynamic platforms for shaping historical narratives.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800735385