Social History Collections

The nucleus of the original collections was established in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as part of the historical, archaeological and ethnographic collections of the South African Museum (SAM), and later the South African Cultural History Museum (SACHM). These museums form part of Iziko Museums of Cape Town, which includes the South African Museum, Slave Lodge, Groot Constantia, Koopmans-De Wet House, Bertram House, Bo-Kaap Museum, Rust en Vreugd and the  William Fehr Collection in the Castle.

The major collections are highlighted here

Collections and Conservation

The Social History Collections Department aims to increase public awareness of the history and cultural heritage of South Africa, past and present. It does this primarily through the interpretation of its collections in pre-colonial, maritime and historical archaeology, as well as historical and contemporary collections. In addition collections from other parts of the world, from antiquity to the present, form part of our holdings.

Since 2005 members of the Department have been involved with packing the collections in preparation for the move to the newly refurbished Iziko Social History Centre in late 2009.

Several new appointments have been made, and attention has been given to staff training and advancement.

Collections Management

Collection Management deals with:

  • Care and management of the collections
  • Database development
  • Handling public enquiries and providing information on the collections
  • Making collections accessible for exhibition and research projects

Collections Manager

Collections Manager: Lindsay Hooper

Tel: +27 (0)21 481 3835
Email: lhooper@iziko.org.za

Lindsay Hooper deals with study and exhibition loans (outgoing and incoming). She is the contact person for access to collections for academic and exhibition research. Other projects include developing and implementing collections’ policies, including collections’ development, loans and access, and drawing up a Collections Manual of procedures for the Department. 

She has knowledge of African cultural material, especially from southern Africa, and has particular interest in beadwork and the artefacts associated with domestic life. 

Collections Manager: Babalwa Ramncwana

Tel: +27 (0)21 481 3834
Email: bramncwana@iziko.org.za

Babalwa Ramncwana is involved with basic documentation of the Social History collections, particularly with regard to documenting the movement the collections to the new Iziko Social History Centre.  She has been capturing database information with a view to collections integration. The objective main focus is to make the Social History Collections accessible through the establishment of an integrated database that brings together previously separate collections.

She has a particular interest in the field of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, with regard to both material objects and the value systems embodied in them.

Assistant Collections Manager: Thando Ngcangisa 

Tel: +27 (0)21 467 7206
Email: tngcangisa@iziko.org.za

Thando Ngcangisa is involved with all aspects of Collections Management, from care of the collections and database entry, to assisting research visitors.  Recently work has focused on packing the collections in preparation for the move to the new Iziko Social History Centre.

Collections Assistant: Ntombovuyo Tywakadi

Tel: +27 (0)21 467 7231
Email: ntywakadi@iziko.org.za

Ntombi Tywakadi assists with Collections Management as well as Conservation projects.  Recently work has focused on packing the collections in preparation for the move to the new Iziko Social History Centre.

Registrar: Lailah Hisham 

Tel: +27 (0)21 467 4674
Email: lhisham@iziko.org.za

Lailah Hisham works as Registrar for both the Social History and Art Collections Departments.  As Registrar she is involved with maintaining the database, and she is also active with regard to dealing with requests for images and issues of copyright.

Conservation

Preventive Conservator: Fatima February

Fatima February provides authoritative advice on preventive conservation issues for objects on display, in storage, on loan and in transit. The preparation and mounting of  material / artifacts for exhibitions, as well as condition reports for installation and de-installation of exhibitions, loans to and from other museums, renewals, photography and any other projects identified on the corporate plan.  Contribute to the care of collections (preservation) programme. Contribute to developing, implementing and maintaining an Integrated Pest Management plan. Contribute to the delivery of the Museum’s major capital projects as appropriate.

Tel: +27 (0)21 467 7216
Email: ffebruary@iziko.org.za

 

Preventive Conservator: Bradley Mottie

Bradley Mottie provides authoritative advice on preventive conservation issues for objects on display, in storage, on loan and in transit. Prepare condition reports for installation and de-installation of exhibitions, loans to other museums, renewals, photography and other projects identified on the corporate plan. Test materials for use in display and storage. Monitor and interpret the environmental data (RH, temperature, light, visitor impact etc.) and produce reports as required.  Contribute to the care of collections (preservation) programme. Contribute to developing, implementing and maintaining an Integrated Pest Management plan. Contribute to the delivery of the Museum’s major capital projects as appropriate.

Tel: +27 (0)21 464 7202
Email: bmotte@iziko.org.za

 

Assistant Preventive Conservator: Janene van Wyk

Janene van Wyk assists the conservators with preventive conservation of collections, with an emphasis on storage, exhibition maintenance and collections care.

Tel: +27 (0)21 467 7210
Email: jvanwyk@iziko.org.za