South Africa: Train-the-Trainer Programme on Collection Management

Working together on collections management and conservation

Since 2017, the South African Museums Association (SAMA) and the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands work together to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of management and preservation of museum collections, and to strengthen the network of museum professionals in South Africa with extensive knowledge of conservation of museum objects. This collaboration takes place within the framework of the Shared Cultural Heritage Programme of the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands and follows from the report ‘Shared Heritage in Museums in South Africa: Opportunities for Collaboration’ and the subsequent visit of a museum delegation from South Africa to the Netherlands, in February 2017, to discuss potential projects. One of the results is the train-the-trainer programme on preventive and passive conservation on Collection Management, in South Africa.

Train-the-trainer programme

Last year saw the launch of this programme, which consists of several workshops, meant for local museum professionals who are involved in collection management, and are willing to further disseminate their knowledge on this subject. Trainers come from several institutions in the Netherlands, who have the relevant expertise, but are also interested in expanding their knowledge by working with fellow-professionals in South Africa.

The second workshop, on the subject of conservation of paper, books and photos, took place in March at the Western Cape Archives and Records Service, in Cape Town. The next workshops will focus on textiles (Kimberly, November 2019), wood and furniture (Cape Town, March 2020), and metal, glass, ceramics and plastic (Pretoria, November 2020).