ADOLF HITLER’S PRIVATE ARMY
By: Mpho Khalo, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History The power of one man Figure 1. Adolf Hitler: (Photo: Source Internet). Adolf Hitler who turned Germany into a military powerhouse, became the leader of a fledgling political organisation called the National
MILITARY GOVERMENTS – DICTATORSHIPS
By: Abraham Mohale, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Introduction A military government or military rule is a political regime in which the military as an organization holds a preponderance of power. The term ‘military rule’ as used is synonymous
BATTLE INKED: A SHORT HISTORY OF TATTOOS AND SOLDIERS
By: Anzel Veldman, Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Tattooing has been a part of human culture since the earliest beginnings of modern civilisation, and it has been an enduring fixture in human history. Archaeological evidence of tattooing has been
FORMER MILITARY BASES OF POQO-APLA: THE MILITARY WING OF THE PAN AFRICANIST CONGRESS OF SOUTH AFRICA (PAC), 1960-90’S
By: Tinyeko Captain Ndhlovu, Curator: Insignia, Memorial Plaques, Postal History, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Introduction The rag and tag Poqo Force the forerunner of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA) was the underground military wing of the Pan-Africanist Congress of
FREEDOM DAY 2023
This year we celebrate Freedom Month under the theme: “Consolidating and Safeguarding Democratic Gains”. On 27 April 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the Freedom Day commemoration, in the North West Province in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality. The 27th
DITSONG: Museums of South Africa.Best Museum in the 2022 Pretoria News Readers’ Choice Competition
We are pleased to announce that DITSONG: Museums of South Africa was once again voted Best Museum in the 2022 Pretoria News Readers’ Choice Competition. Thank you all for making DMSA great!
THE WORLD WAR 1 CROSS OF HONOUR WITHIN COMMEMORATIVE CULTURE IN POST-WAR GERMANY
Anzel Veldman, Curator, Medals and Numismatics, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History World War 1 (1914-1918) caused an enormous loss of life, with many soldiers suffering permanent psychological injuries and many spent the rest of their lives living with disabilities. Prior
INSURGENTS, REBELS, GUERRILLAS
Abraham Mohale, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History INTRODUCTION An insurgency is a violent, armed rebellion against authority waged by small, lightly armed bands who practice guerrilla warfare from primary rural bases areas. It is a rebellious act that does
AMABUTHO AKWAZULU: THE ROYAL PATRONAGE SINCE THE PRE-SHAKAN ERA
Tinyeko Captain Ndhlovu, Curator: Insignia, Memorial Plaques, Postal History, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History The Amabutho system historically goes back to the pre-Shakan era (early 19th century). During those early days the Nguni clans used to practice customary grouping known
THE MOZAMBIQUE INSURGENCY
By: David Rilley-Harris, Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History (DNMMH) Since October 2017, Mozambique has been struggling with an insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado. For several years insurgents have been terrorising and killing civilians. Insurgents have also