Msunduzi Museum

Since the 1990’s, the uMsunduzi Museum in Pietermaritzburg, an agency of the National Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, has been transformed from a historically single-themed museum to one that depicts the heritage of different cultural groups of KwaZulu-Natal.

The museum was created in 1912 as a tribute to the Voortrekkers. Voortrekker history is the main focus in the Voortrekker Complex, i.e. the historic Church of the Vow, the Andries Pretorius House and the E.G. Jansen Extension. The Voortrekker Memorial Church and historic Church Hall were also recently acquired for the Museum by the National Department of Arts and Culture.

The Main building is home to a variety of cultural-history exhibitions which are also constantly being upgraded and expanded, like ‘ A Tapestry of Cultures’ on the Mezzanine floor.   Those interested in the history of the Struggle for Democracy, may find the Birth of Democracy Display on the ground floor informative. The Museum also boasts a replica Hindu Shiva temple and a beautiful herb garden. A display on the the South African (Anglo-Boer) War can be seen at the Voortrekker House, 333 Boom Street.  The house is opened on Tuesdays and Fridays from 07h30 – 15h00, on other days opening can be arranged on request by contacting the Museum at 033 394 6834.