The Voortrekker/ Msunduzi Museum

The Voortrekker Museum is committed to develop and promote cultural heritage in South Africa through collection, conservation, research, education, exhibition and entering into beneficial partnerships with our stakeholders in order to assist in social and economic development.

Vision

Our vision is to develop, preserve and promote the histories and cultures of South Africans in order to ensure social cohesion and nation building.

VOORTREKKER MUSEUM HISTORY

In 1912, a single-theme museum was established in the Church of the Vow built in 1840 to fulfil the vow made by the Voortrekkers before the Battle of Blood River/Ncome on the 16th December 1838. The Museum housed Voortrekker relics and recorded the history of the five parties of Voortrekkers who, disenchanted with British rule, left the eastern Cape from 1835 and after many vicissitudes established the capital of the new Republic of Natalia at Pietermaritzburg in 1839. From the 1990s, the museum has changed from a single-theme museum to a multi-cultural institution under the National Department of Arts and Culture and has been awarded funds for transformation. The museum consists of four main departments specializing in different fields. These departments work in relation to one another in order to make sure that the vision and mission of the museum become a reality. Each department has professional staff members who are specialists in different fields. The public is free to consult individual staff member for information and queries.

SEVERAL OF THE UNIQUE ITEMS IN OUR COLLECTION ARE:

An oxwagon reputed to be the second oldest in South Africa. Built in 1824, this oxwagon was used by Voortrekker Albert Smit during the Great Trek.

The huge trousers worn by Voortrekker Coenraad Snyman.

Piet Retief's water bottle, found with his remains at Kwa Matiwane.

A ceramic bowl that broke, but survived an accident during the descent of the Drakensberg by the Voorttrekkers. The bowl was also hidden in the ground during the Anglo-Boer War.

King Dingane's chair carved by hand from a solid piece of wood.

Beads found at Mgungundlovu, the Royal Residence of King Dingane.

King Dingane's head rest.

An oxwagon reputed to be the second oldest in South Africa. Built in 1824, this oxwagon was used by Voortrekker Albert Smit during the Great Trek.

Beads found at Mgungundlovu, the Royal Residence of King Dingane.

King Dingane's head rest.