SOUTH AFRICAN PEACEKEEPING (2000-2008)
By: David Rilley-Harris, Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History (DNMMH) Between 2000 and 2008 South Africa was functioning as a more substantial peacekeeping force and was probably the most significant African peacekeeping force. This period largely aligns with the presidency
THE MILITARY ROLE OF A NEW SOUTH AFRICA (1998-2000)
By: David Rilley-Harris, Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History (DNMMH) Following the 1994 elections, South Africa entered a new era in which its military capabilities were required to operate within a new context. Military power was no longer needed to
THE PRIDE OF THE ZULU: A LEGACY OF STRENGTH AND CULTURE
By: Elias Mampheko, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History The History of the Zulus Before emerging as a powerful nation, the Zulu people were largely organised into small clans practicing subsistence farming, similar to other communities in South Africa. Their
THE NEWSPAPER PRESS IN SOUTH AFRICA: EVOLUTION, PURPOSE, AND PRODUCTION
By: Nthabiseng Nzuza, Junior Curator, assisted by Refilwe Kgomo (Volunteer) and Pordon Nxumalo (Intern): DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History Introduction and Origin The history of journalism in South Africa can be traced back to the early 19th century with the establishment
THE ADZE: SHAPING WOOD AND CULTIVATING SOIL
By: Judas Makwela, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History Introduction An adze (/ædz/ or adz) is an ancient and versatile cutting tool, similar to an axe, but with the cutting edge set perpendicular to the handle rather than parallel. Adzes
TRADITIONAL SKIN CARE PRACTICES OF INDIGENOUS AFRICAN WOMEN
By: Ntebaleng Tlailane, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History Skincare and makeup have long been integral to indigenous women’s cultural expression, predating modern commercial cosmetics by centuries. Across many indigenous communities, women used natural pigments—such as Okuma, Ufie, and
HIGH TEA IN THE LATE 19TH CENTURY
By: Dineo Maloka, Junior Curator – DITSONG: National Museum of Cultural History Introduction During the 19th century ‘high tea’ was more than a culinary tradition; it was a significant cultural and social phenomenon. It functioned as a contested site of gendered agency,
DR RUTH SEGOMOTSI MOMPATI
By: Michael Tobolo, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Early Life and Education of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati was born on 14 September 1925 in Tlapeng, a rural area within Ganyesa village in the North West