The Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument (ATM) in Paarl, Western Cape incorporates the Afrikaanse Taalmuseum, the Afrikaanse Taalmonument, and the Paarl Amphitheatre in South Africa.
The language museum is situated at 11 Pastorie Avenue, in the former home of Gideon Malherbe, a founder member of the Society of True Afrikaners (GRA).
The amphitheatre and the monument are situated against the southern slope of Paarl Mountain. The monument portrays the growth of Afrikaans and gives recognition to the diverse roots of the language from Africa, Europe, and Asia.
The museum and monument have been in operation since 1975. After two years of self-government, ownership of the ATM was transferred to the state in 1977. Today, the ATM is a public entity governed by a council which is appointed by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument receives an annual subsidy from this department and generates additional revenue through sponsorships, donations, entrance fees, facility hire, product sales, and events.
As an inclusive institution, the ATM strives for all South Africans to respect and appreciate Afrikaans. In this spirit, the ATM works hard to encourage and support Afrikaans among the youth and non-mother-tongue speakers.
The ATM constantly endeavours to establish mutual respect between Afrikaans and other indigenous languages by, among other things, acknowledging and exhibiting the mutual influence of different languages on each other.
Vision
To expand the ATM into a dynamic and inclusive institution that promotes the language diversity of Afrikaans within the context of a multicultural society.
Mission
- To promote the diversity of Afrikaans through inclusive programmes and activities.
- To digitalise information to conserve it better and increase access to it.
- To create an environment in which different Afrikaans role-players interact with each other to achieve social cohesion.
- To reach out to other language communities and entities through educational programmes and cultural activities.
- To research ‘ignored’ or displaced histories of Afrikaans and sharpen its focus on African knowledge-learning systems as part of a larger decolonisation process.
- To promote mutual respect and tolerance between members of the Afrikaans language community to facilitate a stronger shared cultural identity.
- To manage the ATM according to sound and transparent financial and administrative management principles that will establish the entity as a leading and recognised role-player in the heritage sector.
- To protect and conserve the diverse language heritage, cultural-historical buildings and heritage sites of Afrikaans.
- To empower various cultural groups through workshops and programmes.
- To empower the staff and greater community.
Objective
The ATM strives for the well-being of Afrikaans within the larger South African society. In this spirit, ATM wishes to encourage and support Afrikaans, especially among the youth and non-mother-tongue speakers. ATM constantly endeavours to establish mutual respect between Afrikaans and other indigenous languages by, among others, acknowledging the mutual influences of the languages on each other.
Values
- Striving for high levels of integrity, reliability, transparency and professionalism in what we do.
- Being tolerant and respectful in dealing with cultural groups and other indigenous languages.
- Striving for excellence in our work environment, as well as in what we offer to the public.
- Contributing to the empowerment of the South African society.
- Being creative and innovative in terms of the programmes and activities we offer.
Functions / mandate
The institution’s main functions are to:
- Gather relevant material and information
- Conduct research on Afrikaans
- Portray the origin, development, use and growth of Afrikaans through exhibitions, lectures and articles
- Offer educational programmes, guided tours and cultural activities
- Preserve the ATM’s cultural history heritage sites, as well as the legacy of Afrikaans itself
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Director
- Mr Michael Jonas
Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Tania Laing
Senior Management
- Ms Chantelle de Kock (Curator)
Communications Officers
- Ms Chantelle de Kock (Curator)
- Ms Stefanie Razstabiga
- Ms Rodene Williams
Contact Details
The contact details of the Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 11 Pastorie Avenue, Paarl, Drakenstein, Cape Winelands, Western Cape, 7646 |
| Postal Address: | 11 Pastorie Avenue, Paarl, 7620 |
| Telephone: | 021 863 0543 |
| WhatsApp: | 076 017 6026 |
| Email: | – ontvangs@taalmuseum.co.za – admin@taalmuseum.co.za |
| Website: | www.taalmuseum.co.za |
READ MORE:
➜ List of Galleries, Museums, and Theatres in South Africa
➜ National Government of South Africa
| Galleries, Museums & Theatres under South Africa’s National Government |
|---|
| Amazwi South African Museum of Literature . Artscape Theatre Centre . Die Afrikaanse Taalmuseum en -monument . Ditsong: Museums of South Africa . Freedom Park . Iziko Museums of South Africa . KwaZulu-Natal Museum . Luthuli Museum . Mandela Bay Theatre Complex . Market Theatre Foundation . National Museum in Bloemfontein . Nelson Mandela Museum . Robben Island Museum . South African State Theatre . The Playhouse Company . uMsunduzi Museum . War Museum of the Boer Republics . William Humphreys Art Gallery |
