The KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg is an impressive, modern museum covering the natural and cultural history of the KwaZulu-Natal region, with a specific focus on Zulu culture.
A popular tourist and educational amenity and acclaimed centre of scholarly research, the KwaZulu-Natal Museum offers thousands of visitors a feast of attractive, modern and user friendly displays.
The Museum is dedicated to increasing understanding of the history of mankind in south-eastern Africa and of the natural world, through the collection, study and display of real objects.
The KwaZulu-Natal Museum opened its doors on 30 November 1904 and is now home to several of the most important heritage collections in South Africa. The collections are of international renown, and feature regional archaeology, African cultural products, European settler history, seashells, insects and other forms of animal life.
The largest national Museum in KwaZulu-Natal Province, this Museum is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of objects of cultural and scientific value, concentrating on both the Natural and Human Sciences.
The exhibition galleries are continually being upgraded to make the museum even more effective and enjoyable.
If you’re interested in South African heritage, this museum is a must-see as it hosts several of South Africa’s most important heritage collections. The internationally renowned collections feature regional archaeology, African cultural products, European settler history, seashells, insects and other fauna.
In addition, the KwaZulu-Natal Museum is a proud custodian of one of the most important collections of Zulu craft objects in the world.
There’s a room dedicated to KwaZulu-Natal history, geological and paleontological material, and a recreation of a late 1800s Victorian street, featuring shops, a stable and period houses.
There’s also a full-sized replica of a Drakensberg cave, complete with rock art, and a wrecked olden-day trading vessel.
What makes the KwaZulu-Natal Museum particularly interesting is the array of interesting temporary exhibitions that give the museum a definite dynamic advantage.
Temporary exhibitions and happenings have included an exploration of the history of segregation in the US, xenophobic violence and a children’s art exhibition.
The museum’s in-house Department of Human Sciences includes a team of archaeologists and cultural heritage technicians who specialise in multiple disciplines covering both South Africa’s past and its material culture.
Discover the fascinating research being carried out on human cognition and modern behaviour, the history of hunter-gatherers and farming communities, as well as rock art and Nguni history.
Make time to visit the exhibition department where educational and entertaining exhibitions are rotated to keep travellers returning for more. The displays are interactive to encourage dynamic learning and stimulate interest in South Africa’s cultural diversity. A number of temporary and travelling displays, incorporating multimedia technology, are also created by the exhibition team.
The museum is also home to the KZN Museum Library, South Africa’s largest research library, which is dedicated to the collection, preservation, study and exhibition of objects of cultural and scientific value, particularly in the field of natural and human sciences.
Learners from surrounding schools often visit the museum, which is equipped with an internet café, resource library and film room to encourage further research and study.
This museum is wheelchair friendly and includes a ramp, lift and special toilet facilities.
Vision
To position the KwaZulu-Natal Museum as a leading, inclusive and transformed heritage institution in South Africa.
Mission
The KwaZulu-Natal Museum is dedicated to serving the people of South Africa by interpreting material evidence of the natural and cultural world in order to increase knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the nation’s wealth of history and biodiversity.
Overseeing Department/Entity
Office Bearers/Management
Chairperson
- Mr Mthokozisi Radebe
Deputy Chairperson
- Ms Khwezi Kunene
Council Members
- Mr Vincent Blennies
- Ms Charmaine Jugnarayan
- Mr Troy Meyers
- Ms Mbali Myeni
- Ms Zamangwane Ngcibi
- Mr Chavaique Pienaar
- Adv Khayelihle Thango
Director
- Mr Luthando J Maphasa
Deputy Director
- n/a
Senior Management
- Dr Geoffrey Blundell (Principal Curator: Human Science)
- Ms Velisiwe Dlomo-Mtshare (Chief Librarian: Library)
- Mr Wesley Flanagan (Assistant Director: Exhibitions)
- Dr John Midgley (Assistant Director: Natural Science)
- Ms Sylvia Ntombela Sylvia Ntombela (Assistant Director: Education)
Communications Officers
- Viranna Frank
Contact Details
The contact details of the KwaZulu-Natal Museum are listed in the table below.
| Physical Address: | 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 3201, South Africa |
| Postal Address: | Private Bag 9070, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 |
| Telephone: | 033 345 1404 |
| Fax: | 033 345 0561 |
| Email: | info@nmsa.org.za |
| Website: | www.nmsa.org.za |
Travel tips & planning info
How to get here
The KwaZulu-Natal Museum is situated on 237 Jabu Ndlovu Street in the centre of Pietermaritzburg in Msunduzi Local Municipality, in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province. Get there by car or taxi. There is adequate parking in the area.
Best time to visit
Monday to Friday: 8.15am to 4.30pm, Saturdays: 9am to 4pm, Sundays: 10am to 3pm. Closed on 1 January, Good Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day.
Get around
The museum and grounds are small enough to walk around.
What will it cost?
Adults (over 17 years) R10, scholars R1.50, pensioners and children under 4 free.
Length of stay
You will not need more than half a day.
Where to stay
Pietermaritzburg has a wide range of hotels, guest houses and B&Bs for overnight visitors.
What to eat
There are several eateries in the vicinity.
What’s happening
Consult the museum’s website for updates on exhibitions and special events.
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 |
