Friends of the South African Museum

14/06/2026

IN SLAVERY’S WAKE: MAKING BLACK FREEDOM IN THE WORLD

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY

FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2026
10H30 – 12H30

In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World exhibition offers an important, intercontinental dialogue on the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism and the global pursuit of freedom.

This is a major international travelling exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Cape Town marks the third stop on its global tour, following its debut in Washington and Brazil.

Presented as a part of the Global Curatorial Project, this ambitious exhibition serves as a significant cultural homecoming, bridging the stories of the African diaspora with the continent’s lived histories to envision a more equitable future. It features contributions from an international consortium of museums and scholars, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives on history and what it means to live in the wake of slavery.

Comprising close to 190 objects, 250 images and 10 multimedia interactives and films, the exhibition thoughtfully integrates historical artefacts, immersive media and contemporary artworks into South Africa’s national art collection. Highlights include artist Daniel Minter’s large-format immersive installation, Universe of Freedom-making, which provides a dedicated space for contemplation, imagination and exploring the diversity of Black freedom-making practices.

The exhibition also includes Unfinished Conversations, a central oral history initiative featuring filmed interviews of descendant communities discussing slavery, memory, race and place. These narratives not only inform the exhibition content but also shape live programming, inspiring dialogue and action toward a more just future.

Join the Friends for the unique opportunity to do a walkabout with Shanaaz Galant, one of the curators of this exhibition.

Meet at the entrance to the South African National Gallery. Parking is available in the gallery parking area in St John’s Road.

Book via Webtickets using the following link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1596961909

Members: R120,00
Non-members: R150,00

In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World exhibition offers an important, intercontinental dialogue on the enduring legacies of slavery, colonialism and the global pursuit of freedom. This is a major international travelling exhibition developed by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of...

20/05/2026

VISIT TO FISH HOEK VALLEY MUSEUM
MONDAY 8 JUNE FROM 10:00 TO 12:00
Step into the story of the Far South. From the Stone Age to a quiet DEIC fishing outpost, Fish Hoek remained a remote, marshy valley – almost impossible to navigate until the arrival of the railway in 1890. This opened the bay up to residents and holidaymakers who arrived in ever-increasing numbers that continue to this day.
Fish Hoek Valley Museum is a community museum dedicated to preserving and sharing this story. Visitors can explore exhibits and artefacts, from the many Stone Age implements that left hints at an occupation going back thousands of years, the story and art of Peers Cave, and 'Uitkyk ' – the first structure erected in the valley by the DEIC. Explore the impact of whaling and fishing along the coastline and the people who shaped the valley over time. There is also a collection of more modern 'tools' – telephones, arithmometers, comptometers and kitchen gadgets – that many will remember from their youth.
Join the Friends on a visit to the museum which was established in 1994 by the Fish Hoek Valley Historical Association to collect, preserve and exhibit objects and records concerning the history of Fish Hoek Valley. It is self-funded and solely staffed by volunteers. While constrained by its size, the museum is striving to expand its reach beyond Fish Hoek itself, to represent the untold stories across the valley.
Meet at the entrance to the museum 59 Central Circle, Fish Hoek.
Book via Webtickets using the following link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1595766943
Members: R120,00
Non-members: R150,00

08/05/2026

VISIT TO FORT WYNYARD AND ITS DISAPPEARING GUN
MONDAY 25 MAY 10:00 TO 12:00
The Friends are privileged to visit Fort Wynyard Battery with Kevin Ashton, National Chairman of the Gunner’s Association of South Africa.
Fort Wynyard Battery in Cape Town, headquarters of the Autshumato Anti-Aircraft Regiment, is famed for its historic ‘disappearing gun’ of which only five are left worldwide. Built to defend Table Bay in the 1800s, the fort showcases military heritage and innovation, blending coastal defense history with modern regimental presence in a landmark of South Africa’s martial past. The tour will cover the history, the underground bunkers, the ‘line of fire’ as well as the gun’s and future plans for the Fort.
Meet at the entrance to the Fort at 15 Fort Wynyard Street in Green Point.
Book via Webtickets using the following link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1594619393
Members: R120,00
Non-members: R150,00

24/04/2026

The Friends had the privilege of spending time with Emeritus Professor John Parkington along the Pakhuis Pass in the Cederberg visiting rock art sites not accessible to the general public and which are rarely seen, This made for a unique learning experience.
Much fun was had along the way and at our accommodation.

15/04/2026

CITY HALL TOUR AND TALK ON CLOCK RESTORATION
TUESDAY 5 MAY 10:00–11:30
The Cape Town City Hall has been the centre of civic life in the city for over a century, as well as being the home of the Cape Town Municipality from the 1900s to the 1970s, it has been the venue for concerts, social events, political meetings, balls, talks, sporting events and more.
The City Hall is iconic in the architectural landscape of Cape Town. It is an interesting example of late Victorian civic architecture. The stature of the building is emphasised by its position with the Grand Parade in front and Table Mountain as its backdrop. You can probably conjure historic images of the building in your mind, perhaps of the royal visit in 1947, and certainly of Nelson Mandela’s speech on his release from prison in 1990. As well as being a landmark, it is an important civic and cultural site in the social fabric of the city.
Join the Friends to explore this building on a guided tour to see that the interior is just as spectacular and interesting as the exterior.
In addition to the tour, Marius Schoeman from the City of Cape Town will give a talk about the recent project to restore the four-faced clock in the clock-tower back to working order.
Meet at the entrance in Darling Street. Parking is available on the Grand Parade.
You can visit the City Hall’s web page here: capetown.gov.za/Family and home/See-all-city-facilities/our-signature-venues/cape-town-city-hall
And read more about the building here: City Hall and Precinct _ Brochure.pdf (capetown.gov.za)
Book via Webtickets using the following link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1593227451
Members: R120,00
Non-members: R150,00

27/03/2026

GEOLOGY WALK: ALONG TAFELBERG ROAD
WEDNESDAY 15 APRIL 10:00–13:00
Join Emeritus Professor John Compton on a walking tour commencing at the end of Tafelberg Road beyond the cableway where the road ends. We will walk along the section of Tafelberg Road that is now closed to vehicular traffic to examine the spectacular exposures of maroon muddy sandstone of the Graafwater Formation exposed in road cuts. We will look from the road at the scenic vistas of Table Mountain, the City Bowl, the harbour and Lion’s Head and discuss aspects of the geology, erosion (rockfalls), and landscape evolution.
Participants need to be fit enough to go for a three hour walk on mostly level to slightly undulating tarmac.
All participants will receive a copy of Compton’s The Rocks & Mountains of Cape Town as a field guide (if you already own a copy you can use the R150 credit toward another of Compton’s books).
Participants need to wear appropriate foot gear and clothing for the weather conditions and they need to bring a minimum of a litre of water.
Book via Webtickets using the following link:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/event.aspx?itemid=1591560338
Members: R350,00
Non-members: R380,00

Join Emeritus Professor John Compton on a walking tour commencing at the end of Tafelberg Road beyond the cableway, where the road ends. We will walk along the section of Tafelberg Road that is now closed to vehicular traffic to examine the spectacular exposures of maroon muddy sandstone of the Graa...