By: Nothando Shabalala
Participating in the Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow convening through their mentorship programme, was both a privilege and an honour. As a mentee, through this platform, I aim to explain the significance of heritage preservation and conservation, drawing from personal insights and the engaging convening programme that left a permanent mark on my perspective.
My journey into the discourse surrounding heritage preservation was catalysed by my prior engagement with a museum with a research department and currently with a heritage research institution. My role at the museum as a research intern was to assist in daily engagements within the department and the museum space at large. I assisted in exhibition installations, object conservation, databasing, excavations, collections management, and photography. At my current post, my role is that of a heritage practitioner, helping to preserve and conserve the heritage of the people. This experience prompted me to interrogate the multifaceted role of museum spaces within societies. Museums are often seen as agents of change, serving as repositories of cultural heritage and avenues for educational enrichment. However, they also confront criticisms of perpetuating stagnation, particularly in their engagement with diverse audiences.
In advocating for inclusivity within museum environments, a comprehensive approach necessitates the engagement of all six senses. Museums traditionally prioritise visual engagement, neglecting other sensory modes. It is not being done nearly enough in museums and heritage spaces on the African continent. To address this limitation and enhance the visitor experience, museums can implement multifaceted strategies. These include incorporating audio guides and tours to engage hearing, integrating demonstrative elements such as textures and replicas to stimulate touch, and introducing multisensory exhibits featuring scents, tastes, and ambient sounds. Additionally, interactive installations, virtual and augmented reality technologies, and inclusive design practices can extend sensory engagement beyond sight and touch. Offering sensory-friendly programs and educational workshops further enriches the museum experience, fostering inclusivity and deepening visitor understanding and emotional connection to the exhibits.
Beyond traditional visual displays, the integration of tactile elements, scent stations, and auditory aids such as sign language programmes and descriptive audio cater to a diverse range of sensory experiences. Furthermore, the inclusion of braille and interactive displays not only enhances accessibility for the visually impaired but also fosters a more immersive and enriching museum experience for all visitors. Additionally, the integration of interactive displays tailored to diverse audiences, particularly young learners, holds promise in enhancing both engagement and educational value.
Ensuring alignment between museum narratives and the school curriculum is paramount to preserving relevance while complementing educational objectives. Justice Albie Sachs’ profound contemplation regarding the dynamic evolution of heritage structures emphasises the importance of embracing people-centred methodologies. This highlights the need for a thorough assessment of our policies, their practical implications, and the strategies employed to enact constructive transformations within museum environments.
The question of African positioning within museums looms large in contemporary discourse. Given the colonial legacy underpinning many museum practices, there arises a pressing need to assert our collective voice and experiences. Reimagining the heritage sector entails championing authenticity and prioritising community engagement, particularly at grassroots levels. By honouring African memory and embracing indigenous perspectives, museums can evolve into inclusive spaces that authentically represent diverse cultural narratives.
Ubuntu, a foundational concept in African philosophy, emphasises the interconnectedness and interdependence of all individuals. It could then be applied as a philosophy when museums are built, curated, and during the developmental phase of their respective programmes. Rooted in compassion, empathy, and mutual respect, Ubuntu underscores the communal aspect of heritage preservation. It urges us to recognise our shared humanity and collective responsibility in safeguarding cultural legacies for future generations.
Financial investment in cultural preservation is a pivotal consideration in disrupting conventional museum paradigms. To advance towards a more equitable cultural landscape, heritage practitioners must champion initiatives that enhance accessibility and inclusivity, including the mitigation of language barriers within museum discourse.
Speakers at the convening underscored the intrinsic link between cultural awareness and societal imagination. Recognising the heterogeneity of societies underlines the need for nuanced, context-sensitive approaches within museum practices. Leveraging emerging technologies such as AI and virtual museums presents opportunities to expand access and mitigate spatial constraints inherent in traditional museum settings.
Ultimately, an outcome that I took from the convening is that heritage practitioners bear the responsibility of rectifying the destabilising legacies of imperialism and colonialism. By fostering inclusive, accessible museum environments, we advance towards a more equitable cultural landscape, one that celebrates diversity and honours the richness of the human experience. In conclusion, the imperative of heritage preservation and conservation transcends mere academic discourse; it is a call to action, demanding collective efforts to safeguard our cultural heritage for future generations.
This story was made possible by the Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow mentorship programme that ran in February 2024, alongside the convening in Cape Town and professional meetings in Johannesburg. Initiated by the French Institute in South Africa and the French Embassy.
Nothando Shabalala will be heading to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in April 2024 to participate in the Our Future – Africa-Europe Dialogues forum, an opportunity established through the Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow mentorship programme.