Museum Day Programme

Ms Deirdre Prins-Solani

Events at Fort Nongqayi Museum Village start in mid-morning on May 18, 2007, and all the formal activities should be completed by lunch time. The programme presents the speakers first, then the cultural entertainment.

Followed by: Opening by Ms Dolly Khumalo, Manager, Museum Service, in the Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal.

Followed by: Keynote address by Ms Deirdre Prins-Solani, President of the International Council of African Museums (AFRICOM).

Followed by: Two and a half hours of performing arts, which will include:

• "Slam poetry" from eShowe High School and Sunnydale High School.
  
• An excerpt from Alan Paton's Cry The Beloved Country performed by learners from eShowe High Scool.
  
• eShowe High School choir.
  
• Senior drama performance by Gartrell Studio.
  
• S'cathamiyi dance group from Ndlongolwane High School.
  
• Traditional Zulu praise poems (amahubo) to birds from schools in the eShowe area.
  
• Indian dance group from the Richards Bay and eShowe areas.
  
• Poetry in sign by Vuleka School for the Deaf, with accompanying music and dance.
  
• "Beyond the walls — words and music from prison".

The three speakers will also perform ceremonial tree-planting to commemorate eShowe's natural heritage.

Ham radio specialist Willie Axford will be broadcasting live coverage of International Museum Day from a radio site set up in Fort Nongqayi. His call sign will be ZS5ZLB.

A fun run through the Dlinza Forest is planned for the Saturday (May 19) immediately following International Museum Day, and two Heritage Hikes are planned for the weekend of May 19-20, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Contact us to book your place on one of the hikes.