Museum to change hands next year

MIDDELBURG NEWS - The Middelburg Museum, housed in a historic building in town, provides a snapshot in time and showcases all the different cultures that call the town home. MPL Heinrich Muller, the DA Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, said that during Heritage Month it is crucial to preserve and promote our heritage, especially through institutions like Middelburg Museum.

He said despite a council resolution in 2016 to transfer the museum from the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality to the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture (DSRAC), little to no progress has been made after eight years.

"This was a legal decision, taken because the municipality had determined that it did not have the resources to maintain and preserve the museum. Sadly, the delays in the transfer have seriously impacted the museum’s viability, and unless drastic action is taken, a part of our collective heritage could be lost," says Muller.

MEC Sibulele Ngongo of the department, confirmed that the museum still belongs to the municipality and registered in its asset register. However, her department has started the process with the Department of Public Works to acquire the property. The process involves resolving title deed issues and following legal protocols to finalise the transfer.

She also confirmed that the department currently provides R400 000 annually for museum operations, supporting collection growth, exhibitions, and visitor engagement and promised to closely monitor the finalisation of this transfer by March 2025.

The historical Middelburg Museum.