About DITSONG Museums

The DITSONG Museums of South Africa is an amalgamation of eight national museums, seven in Tshwane and one in Johannesburg. DITSONG Museums have diverse collections covering the fields of fauna and flora, palaeontology, military history, cultural history, geology, anthropology and archaeology.

Legislative Mandate

The mandate of DITSONG in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act is as follows:

• Collection, conservation and safe management of national heritage collections on behalf of the South African nation.
• Carry out research and publish such information for the cultural, social and economic use locally and internationally.
• Design, implement and manage exhibitions and public programmes with a view to supporting the national educational curriculum, economic development and other socio-economic objectives of Government.
• Render heritage-based services to other museums (national, provincial, local and private) as well as to individuals and tertiary institutions.

Vision

To be a leading African heritage institution of excellence, accessible to all.

Mission

To transform and enhance museums and heritage sites as vehicles for nation building and social cohesion through active conservation, innovative research and relevant public programmes for the benefit of present and future generations.

About the Museum

The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History, formerly known as the Transvaal Museum, was founded as the Staatsmuseum of the ZAR on 1 December 1892. Since then it has served as custodian and documentation centre of South Africa's natural heritage.

The Museum's collections and exhibitions include hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site together with associated fauna, fossils, skeletons, skins and mounted specimens of amphibians, fish, invertebrates, reptiles and mammals.

These collections form the foundation of the Museum's educational programmes, scientific research and public information services for South Africans and the international community.

The Ditsong National Museum of Natural History is the only natural history museum in Gauteng and one of the largest in South Africa. It is also unique in offering visitors access to original fossil material normally unavailable for public viewing.

About the Museum

The National Museum of Cultural History explores South Africa's cultural diversity through a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions.

Exhibitions include rock paintings and engravings of the San people, thousand-year-old Iron Age figurines from Schroda in Limpopo, and an extensive Art Gallery presenting South African culture through historical objects, crafts, sculpture and paintings.

Visitors can also experience the Marabastad exhibition, illustrating one of South Africa's most cosmopolitan and integrated communities before apartheid.

About the Museum

During the First World War (1914–1918), no formal showcase existed to document South Africa's participation in the conflict. The South African National War Museum was officially opened on 29 August 1947 by the then Prime Minister, Field Marshal J.C. Smuts.

In 1975 the Museum's name changed to the South African National Museum of Military History, expanding its focus to include the history of all military conflicts involving South Africans.

Today the Museum houses collections across 37 categories, including ordnance, armoured vehicles, aircraft, medals, uniforms, firearms, edged weapons, military communications, medicine, religion, propaganda, graves, memorials, military music and much more.

Exhibits include some of the world's rarest aircraft, firearms, Victoria Crosses, uniforms and military artefacts, while the museum library contains an exceptional collection of books, journals and archival material.

Donations

The Museum welcomes donations of military uniforms, badges, medals, flags and related artefacts. Items from the Anglo-Boer War, First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Border War and the Struggle Movement are especially welcomed.

About the Museum

The Pioneer Museum in Silverton is one of Pretoria's best-known landmarks. Its main attraction is a beautifully preserved thatched house built in 1848 by Adolf Machiel Botha on the farm Hartebeestpoort.

Constructed shortly after the Voortrekkers settled in the area, it is the last remaining thatched dwelling representing the architectural style of the early Apies River region.

A Victorian house was added to the property in 1900. While the newer structure eventually disappeared, the original thatched dwelling survived after being donated to the Silverton City Council in 1961 by Mrs J.L. Mundt, daughter-in-law of Hans Heinrich Mundt.

On 5 November 1975, the Pioneer Open Air Museum was officially opened by the then State President, Nico Diedericks, following restoration of the historic house, which has since been declared a national monument.

About the Museum

Sammy Marks Museum is situated on the farm Zwartkoppies east of Pretoria. This magnificent Victorian mansion was the residence of Jewish industrialist and entrepreneur Sammy Marks (1844–1920), who made significant contributions to the industrial, mining and agricultural development of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.

The Museum is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens and houses an exceptional collection of Victoriana together with the personal belongings of Sammy Marks and his wife, Bertha.

Zwartkoppies Hall served as the Marks family residence from 1885 until 1909 before becoming their weekend retreat. Following Sammy Marks' death, the property remained occupied by his family until 1978.

During 1980, negotiations began between the National Cultural History and Open-air Museum and the Marks Trust regarding the preservation of the estate. Through generous financial support from the Kaplan Family Foundation, the Museum was eventually established and officially opened in November 1986.

In March 1989, Zwartkoppies was declared a National Monument, preserving one of South Africa's finest examples of Victorian heritage.

About the Crater

Approximately 220 000 years ago, a blazing stony meteorite roughly the size of half a football field collided with the Earth's surface, creating a crater measuring 1.4 km in diameter and about 200 metres deep.

Tswaing, meaning "Place of Salt" in Setswana, takes its name from the saline lake occupying the crater floor. Between 1912 and 1950, salt and soda ash were commercially produced here.

Today the 2 000-hectare conservation area protects both its natural and cultural heritage. Visitors can experience extensive wetlands, large herds of wildlife, indigenous vegetation, and more than 240 recorded bird species.

The crater also preserves evidence of human occupation dating back approximately 800 years, including decorated clay pottery associated with early Sotho and Tswana communities.

The former National Cultural History Museum assumed responsibility for developing the area into an environmental education, research and ecotourism destination, creating employment opportunities, skills development and sustainable tourism for surrounding communities.

About the Museum

The Kruger Museum was opened in 1934 and declared a National Monument in 1936. The museum and its collections preserve the legacy of President Paul Kruger, leader of the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (ZAR), during one of the most significant periods in South African history.

President Kruger lived in this residence from 1884 until 1900 while serving as President of the ZAR. Today, the museum offers visitors an authentic glimpse into his life, leadership and international influence.

Museum Highlights

The House

Known as The Presidency, the house served as the private residence of President Kruger and his family. Carefully restored using historical evidence, it showcases Victorian architecture and original furnishings.

West Hall

West Hall focuses on Paul Kruger as an international statesman. Exhibits include international tributes, gifts of honour, his rifle, saddle, pocket knife, state coach and the famous Brattina presented by the Russian people.

East Hall

Displays follow President Kruger's exile from South Africa, his journey through Europe, his final years in Switzerland, and his state funeral held in Pretoria on 16 December 1904.

Railway Coach

The President's private railway coach, used during official visits and later during his journey into exile, remains one of the museum's most treasured exhibits.

About the Museum

The Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum preserves and showcases South Africa's agricultural history from the Stone Age until 1945.

Visitors can explore one of the country's largest collections of historic farming implements, tractors, animal-drawn vehicles, and an authentic farmyard dating from 1880–1920.

The Museum is home to indigenous domesticated animals, including Nguni and Afrikaner cattle, Colebrook pigs, Painted Persian sheep, and indigenous chicken breeds.

By prior arrangement, visitors can enjoy demonstrations such as candle making, cow milking, coffee roasting and traditional bread baking.

The farm stall offers homemade jams, cookies, soap and authentic Ndebele beadwork, while the Museum also produces its own mampoer and liqueurs.

An annual Mampoer Festival, held towards the end of May, celebrates South Africa's agricultural traditions and attracts visitors from across the country.