THE 155 MM G5 SOUTH AFRICAN TOWED GUN-HOWITZER (SINCE 1986)
By: Michael Tobolo, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Introduction During the South African incursion into Angola in 1975, The South African Defence Force (SADF) realized that their 88 mm G2 (25 Pounder) and 140 mm (5,5 inch) field gun
THE GIFTS AND COMFORTS FUND
By: David Rilley-Harris, Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History (DNMMH) Isie “Ouma” Smuts (Picture: X.com). The Ouma Gifts and Comforts Fund was created shortly after the beginning of the Second World War (1939-1945) and was charged with sending morale packages to
Kgoŝi Mampuru II – King of the Pedi people
By: Abraham Mohale, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History Figure. Statue of Kgoŝi Mampuru II in Mamone village, Sekhukhune District, Limpopo Province. Introduction Kgoŝi Mampuru II was born in 1824 and died on 22 November 1883. Kgoŝi Mampuru died brutally by
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
WAR CRIMES, WARLORDS
WAR CRIMES, WARLORDS Abraham Mohale, Junior Curator, DITSONG: National Museum of Military History United States of America President, Joe Biden, recently referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal for invading and attacking Ukraine and that did not sit well