September 25, 2007
By Millicent Kgowedi
TWO very different celebrations were held to mark Heritage Day in Joburg this weekend – the Soweto Festival kept up its traditional party mood, while the opening of the Geology Museum at Museum Africa was a more serious affair.
September is Heritage Month, with Heritage Day on 24 September a national holiday.
Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown was the scene of the annual Soweto Festival; hot local musicians performed, young designers took part in fashion shows, crafters sold their wares, and more than 200 exhibition stands had information available and products on display, among plenty of other activities.
"The Soweto Festival is never to be missed," said Adele Lucas, the organiser. "It's the only festival that celebrates Soweto's heritage, people and potential. It offers something for everyone, whether you're a child, a schoolgoer, a young adult, a mother or a grandparent."
Artists who performed included local heroes Arthur Mafokate, Hunger Boys, Senyaka, 3Sum, Kelly Kumalo, Speedy, Redeemed, Blazafamili and Bulletproof, with Kumalo's show a particular favourite.
Road safety: Johannesburg Roads Agency educates visitors to the Soweto Festival
Wearing a short red and black dress and stiletto heels, she grabbed everyone's attention: people got out of their cars, left restaurants and exhibition stands and headed for the main stage and her energetic performance.
Fashion
Fashionistas were also treated, with Soweto's upcoming designers displaying sophisticated yet wearable garments. "I always encouraged them to design collections that were original and reflected their individuality," said established designer Ephraim Molingoana, who choreographed and produced the fashion shows.
City companies, including Pikitup, Joburg Water, City Power and Johannesburg Roads Agency, manned stands distributing information and educating visitors. At its stand, Pikitup focused on composting; visitors learned how to compost their gardens in spring, how to choose the right place to set up a compost heap and the time it takes for compost to be ready for use.
"Most of the people who visited our stand didn't know anything about the education we [gave them]. We actually had to tell them the different composting materials, like unpainted wood and ashes from coal or charcoal," said Vincent Tsotetsi, the sales and marketing consultant at Pikitup.
Smart tips from City Power were shared with the public at its stand. Consultants spoke on topics such as where electricity comes from, safety inside and outside the home, and energy-saving tips for electrical appliances and lighting.
The roads agency handed out calendars with road safety tips. Safety tips for cyclists include never riding more than two abreast and never carrying passengers on the bicycle as it obstructs the view and makes balancing difficult. Tips for pedestrians include always walking on the far side of the pavement, crossing at pedestrian crossings and watching out for open manholes.
Upgrades and water meters were discussed at Joburg Water's stand, where the importance of water conservation was a hot topic. Tips were given to conserve water when showering, watering the garden and washing the car and the dishes.
A range of beautiful stones at the Geology Museum
Operation Gcin'amanzi, which aims to stop the severe water losses in Soweto, was also discussed. The project is being implemented over four years and includes a range of intervention measures to reduce the level of unaccounted water.
Geology Museum
The Soweto Festival was a huge and noisy celebration; for others, a quieter day heralded Heritage Month. The newly constructed Geology Museum at Museum Africa, in Newtown, was officially opened on Sunday, 23 September, attended by geologists, curators, councillors and members of the public.
The displays explore what geologists know about Africa's formation, through rocks and rare, valuable and beautiful mineral specimens and gems.
"This museum provides an educational facility for the community, with over 15 000 artefacts; I think this will be a drawcard of Museum Africa," said Diana Wall, the collection manager at Museum Africa.
Speaking at the opening, the director of the City's art, culture and heritage services unit, Steven Sack, said that people were often mystified why the city was important. The truth lay not only in gold but also in the other minerals displayed in the new Geology Museum.
Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, the member of the mayoral committee for community development, said that the City supported the collection of historical artefacts because they reflected the country's history and formed a fundamental part of that history.
Storytelling
"Museums have become storytelling places: stories about what rocks and minerals are, and explaining the gradual build up of mountains."
She hoped that the museum would interest young people and inspire the general public. "May our eyes be opened to the wonders of the world of geology."
A tour of the new museum takes more than two hours; there is much to see and learn. Some 18 zones focus on the cycle of life, Google Earth, economic minerals, a treasure vault, space area, freak exhibits, a spiral of time, a time tunnel, a quiz area, a laboratory area and a day in the life area.
The Geology Museum is part of Museum Africa, 121 Bree Street, Newtown. It is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9am to 5pm. For more information contact Museum Africa on 011 833 5624.
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