Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko) is a schedule 3 public entity (not of profit) and operates 11 national museums, a Planetarium, Social History Centre (archive), and three collection-specific libraries in Cape Town, Western Cape.
The museums that make up Iziko each have their own history and character presenting extensive art, social and natural collections that reflect our diverse African heritage.
The name Iziko is an isiXhosa word meaning ‘hearth’ – traditionally and symbolically the social centre of the home where food is prepared and shared, stories told, and knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Similarly, the national museums that make up Iziko are spaces for cultural interaction, where people can gather, share, learn and connect with our history, art and natural world.
Iziko seeks to celebrate the heritage of South Africa whilst generating new cultural legacies in all spheres for future generations and a society that has moved beyond the shackles of the past.
The three ‘flames’ in Iziko’s hearth logo represent the three collections brought together in Iziko museums: Social History (ochre); Art (red); and Natural History (green). These are made accessible to learners and the public through Education and Public Programmes.
A visit to any of Iziko’s following 11 museums will take you on a magical journey of African heritage:
- Bertram House
- Bo-Kaap Museum
- Groot Constantia Manor House
- Koopmans-de Wet House
- Maritime Centre
- Michaelis Collection at the Old Town House
- Rust en Vreugd
- Slave Lodge and Social History Centre
- South African Museum and Planetarium
- South African National Gallery and Annexe
- William Fehr Collection at the Castle of Good Hope
Iziko’s libraries offer resources to researchers, students and knowledge seekers. The Art Library is based at the South African National Gallery Annexe, the Social History Library is based at the Social History Centre, and the Natural History Library is based at the South African Museum. Access to these resources is offered free of charge. Iziko has a large database of images and is actively digitising its collection. These images are available at a fee and on request.
Iziko Museums aspires to follow certain values that will ensure the protection of South Africa’s heritage for the benefit of future generations.
- Ubuntu – ‘I am because of you’
- Community engagement and social responsiveness
- Batho Pele – ‘Putting people first’
- Empower and inspire our visitors through education and research
- Communication and information sharing – ongoing, open and honest communication and sharing of information
- Develop and sustain mutually beneficial local and international partnerships
- Professional, dependable and consistent service excellence
- Mutual trust, respect, equality, honesty and dignity – treat everyone fairly and uphold human dignity
- Good and transparent financial governance
Vision
Iziko Museums of South Africa is an African museum of excellence that inspires all people to celebrate and respect our diverse heritage.
Mission
The mission of Iziko Museums of South Africa is:
- To continuously innovate and transform our heritage institutions to meet the needs of our democracy and serve our public.
- To manage and promote Iziko’s unique combination of South Africa’s heritage collections, sites and services for the benefit of present and future generations.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Mr Dennis Jabulani Sithole
Deputy Chairperson
- Dr Paul Spencer Bayliss
Council Members
- Ms Penelope Anne Beck
- Ms Keitumetse Mahlangu
- Mr Popo Andries Sakoane Masilo
- Mr Ahmed Mohammed Pandor
- Ms Matshemo Margaret Sekgobela
Chief Executive Officer
- Mr Lennox Sobahle Tukwayo
Chief Financial Officer
- Ms Ronel Pedro
Senior Management
- Mr Hylton Arnolds (Director: Education)
- Dr Wayne Florence (Director: Research and Exhibitions)
- Ms Fahrnaaz Johadien (Executive Director: Operations)
- Dr Bongani Ndhlovu (Executive Director: Core Functions)
- Dr Noel Solani (Director: Collections and Digitisation)
- Mr Pumzile Zonke (Director: Advancement)
Communications Officers
- Ms Zikhona Jafta
Contact Details
The contact details of Iziko Museums of South Africa are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 25 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Postal Address: | P.O. Box 61, Cape Town, 8000 |
| Telephone: | 021 481 3800 |
| Fax: | 021 481 3993 |
| Email: | info@iziko.org.za |
| Website: | www.iziko.org.za |
READ NEXT:
➜ 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 |
