Albany museum’s mobile unit recently embarked on a road show to celebrate Museum and Africa Months. Jauka Hall in Port Alfred was the first stop.
Albany museum’s mobile unit recently embarked on a road show to celebrate Museum and Africa Months. Jauka Hall in Port Alfred was the first stop.
In a matter of minutes the hall was turned into a 'museum' displaying artefacts from the invertebrate, history, anthropology, archaeology and fossil collections.
Experienced museum officials with expertise in various fields were on hand to answer questions and interacted with approximately 300 learners from Port Alfred Primary and Kuyasa Combined and Nomzamo Secondary Schools.
Facilitator, Lindi Mahlasela, asked learners what they thought was the meaning of Africa Day.
He confronted them with some difficult questions such as how many countries make up the African continent?
and who are the presidents of Mali, Malawi, Kenya and Congo?'
He also asked them about leading musicians and artists from the continent. When answers were not forthcoming, he asked them who is the president of the United States.
A resounding 'Barack Obama' came back as the answer.
This effectively drove home his point that, knowing about other countries and peoples of the African continent will eliminate the kind of prejudices that led to xenophobia and promote togetherness and social cohesion.
Ms Nxawe, an English teacher from Nomzamo High School, thought the event was a “worthwhile exercise.
She strongly believes that activities like these go a long way towards motivating learners as they broaden their career choices.
Additionally, Ms Nxawe promised to take her learners to Albany museum to see, touch and smell collections.
Two Grade 11 learners from Kuyasa were surprised to learn that museums are places where highly qualified people could pursue careers – and not just archeologists and paleontologists but IT experts, finance administrators and more.
Plus, learning about insects was something that the two girls never thought of as a career.
A Grade 9 learner from Port Alfred said he wanted to study paleontology at Rhodes after finishing Grade 12, while Simphiwe Mxube, a Grade 10 pupil from Kuyasa Combined School wanted to explore the field of archaeology.
Clearly, the visit had a positive effect on learners and Albany museum wishes them success in their endeavors.
