Newsletter - May 2018 Friends of Iziko South African Museum

FRIENDS OF IZIKO SOUTH AFRICAN

MUSEUM Non-Profit Organisation 052-511-NPO Postal address: P O Box 61 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Physical address: 25 Queen Victoria Street Cape Town SA Phone: 021 481 3913 Cell: 072 225 6893 E-mail: samfriends@iziko.org.za Website: http://www.iziko.org.za/static/page/friends-of-thesouth-african-museum Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/

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NEWSLETTER – MAY 2018 The Friends programme continues to offer interesting lecture topics and exciting activities.

We hope you will participate and enjoy these.

Please let me know if you have moved or your contact details have changed so that our records can be updated and you continue to receive our emails and newsletters.

Wednesday 27-June Speaker: Claire Browning Title: 440 million years ago in the Cedarberg: fossils, extinctions and climatic shifts Wednesday 25-July Speaker: Selwyn Davidowitz Title: Hidden gems of Cape Town Wednesday 29-August Speaker: Dr Marise Heyns Title: The history of forensic science in South Africa

OUTINGS Booking and advance payment to secure your booking is essential for all outings. To secure your booking, please respond by email samfriends@iziko.org.za Planned outings: Thursday 17 & 24 May 10:30 – 11:30 Visit and tour of Kirstenbosch greenhouses and special collections nursery Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Join the Friends on a unique guided tour behind the scenes at Kirstenbosch which includes a visit to the greenhouses, the nursery and special collections nursery. Due to popular demand this outing will be offered twice. As numbers for this tour are strictly limited, early booking is advised.

Members: R 80 Non-members: R 100

The Friends have yet again been the beneficiary of a very generous donation by long-time member and keen supporter, Sandy Bean, to commemorate his 80th birthday. Donations to the Friends make it possible to donate money to museum departments to purchase equipment which they could not otherwise afford with funding they receive for this purpose. Thank you Sandy for commemorating your birthday with a thought for the Friends organisation which brings learning and joy to so many.

LECTURE PROGRAMME 2018 The lectures have been changed to the last Wednesday of each month. The lectures continue to be offered at 18:00.

The programme for lectures and outings is subject to change should this become necessary.

Wednesday 30 May Speaker: Tony Murray Title: The road to prosperity: how pioneer engineers built the colonial highway to the Eastern Province * This will be followed by an outing to Sir Lowry’s pass, look out for details.

Monday 28 May 10:00 Visit to the Vergelegen library, Somerset West A national treasure - a private heritage tour Join the Friends for a visit to this historical collection that is situated in a two hundred year old wine cellar. The eclectic collection of more than 4 500 books belonged to mining magnet, politician and philanthropist Sir Lionel Phillips.

It contains books on history (from ancient to modern), travel, Africana, art, music and gardens as well as many of Darwin’s writings. Three of the oldest books in the collection were printed in the eleventh century.

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We will be guided by an expert from the Estate. Light lunches are available at the restaurant for your own account for those wishing to stay on after the tour.

Members: R 100

Non- members: R 120

Besides hosting soccer matches, the venue is used for the rugby sevens tournament, concerts and large events. We were interested to learn that the magnificent inside area is popular for wedding receptions, formal dinners, film shoots and fashion shows.

Our first stop was into the stadium to sit on the seats to get a view of the immaculate field. Our next stop was at the media area which was specially designed with Wi Fi and desks. There is even a sound proof area for media use to block the noise of the vuvuzelas. We were taken to the VIP entertainment area, then to the area where the teams meet before going onto the field and were shown the lavish changing rooms. It was exciting to exit the changing rooms and to walk onto the field along the route the players take when entering the field. Only the roar of the crowd was missing!

Field trips:

20 to 24 June: Fossil trip, Lemoenfontein, Beaufort West 27 to 28 July: Robben Island overnight trip: a geological and historical perspective 17 to 19 August: Geological tour to Mossel Bay, Wilderness and Sedgefield 12 to 14 September: Porcupine Hills conservation area: nature and fynbos-renosterveld region near Villiersdorp

REPORT BACKS CAPE TOWN STADIUM The Friends spent a fascinating morning on a guided tour of the Cape Town stadium. Many of us had not attended events at this venue and for those who had, they were able to visit and learn about areas of the stadium that the general public would not get to see.

Built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the construction took thirty three months at a cost of 4.5 billion rand.

Although the stadium is designed to seat 68 000, some seating at the top of the stadium has been removed and the seating capacity is now 55 000. These seats may be replaced should they be needed but are stored to save on wear and tear.

Grey water as well as rain water from the roof is utilised for the grass and other uses. Material that was specially designed for the sides of the stadium lets in the sunshine and air so that air conditioning is not necessary. Being able to almost see through the sides gives a feeling of light and air, as opposed to feeling enclosed.

Our tour ended at the small SA Police station which is manned during big events. Attached to this are some lock up cells for any misbehaving fans.

This is a magnificent building, a venue in which Cape Town can indeed be proud to host local and international events.

Charlotte Honiball DIAMOND MUSEUM Situated in the midst of the bustling Waterfont, the Diamond Museum, founded by Shimansky Jewellers, is one of Cape Town’s hidden secrets.

The Friends had an interesting visit to this museum. We learnt that the first diamond was discovered in India in 2500 BCE and that decorative use of diamonds began in 322 BC. The tradition of diamond engagement rings started in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian first used a diamond in an engagement ring.

In 1867 the first diamond was discovered in South Africa by the 15 year old Erasmus Stephanus Jacobs.

Replicas of famous and very beautiful South African diamonds on display are fascinating to see: the Hope, Taylor Burton, de Beers Premier Rose 1, Jubilee, My Girl, Cullinan amongst them. The cutting of diamonds was explained; the brilliant cut being the best to show the diamond optimally with its 57 facets.

The history of South African diamonds and of diamond mining in the country, especially in Kimberley, is beautifully displayed and makes a visit to this museum worthwhile.

Charlotte Honiball

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BO KAAP WALKABOUT The Friends spent a lovely morning exploring the Bo-Kaap with Faried Basier of Iziko Museums of Cape Town. Starting at the Bo-Kaap Museum, Faried told us the colourful and rich history of the Bo-Kaap, explained how the name changed from Walendorp to the Malay Quarter to Scotchsekloof, eventually becoming the Bo-Kaap. After spending a short time looking at the museum displays, we set off in near perfect weather conditions to the nearby Auwal mosque, the first mosque in South Africa. Before the freedom of religion, members met in this building which was a stable known as ‘wagon house’. Once freedom of religion was granted, a minaret was added to the building which could then openly became a mosque. Not many of us have been able to enter a mosque in Cape Town. What a privilege it was to be inside the mosque and to learn about the history.

EXTINCTIONS: ONLINE COURSE Prof Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, is running her free online course, starting on 30 April. It will be fascinating, as it is one of the top-ranked MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) globally. Anusuya writes: The next run of my Free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) called “Extinctions- Past and Present” will begin on the 30 April. Anyone, anywhere in the world can do the course- all you need is an internet connection! The course is fairly light and is spread over 5 weeks – but people can do it at their own pace. So far about 10 000 people from around the world have taken the course, and the good news is that the course is ranked as a ‘2017 TOP 50 MOOC’ out of 8000 plus MOOCs in the world! Here is the link to join: https://www.futurelearn. com/courses/extinctions-past-present

Along the way we experienced the energy of the area, and mingled with foreign tourists, which gave some of the keen photographers in our group wonderful photo opportunities. We visited two long- established local businesses. We were fortunate to have the owner of Rocksole Shoes, known to all as Mr Kay or by his nickname Sanky, tell us about the history and origin of this business where he is currently the third generation owner. He has a son working with him who will one day be the fourth generation owner. Mr Kay’s father, Jaga Jivan Parmar, was a cobbler who left Bombay in 1902 to seek his fortune at the Cape. Mr Kay’s legacy is carried on by his sons and grandsons who continue this tradition which goes back a long way.

Our next stop at Atlas Spice Trading was for those experiencing the shop for the first time, a treasure trove of interesting goods. Unfortunately trade was so brisk at the time of our visit that we were not able to talk to or engage with the owner or workers. Several in our party returned to do some shopping on their way home.

Lunch at Biesmillah restaurant consisted of a spread of local Malay dishes which were delicious. Momeena, our hostess, told us about the history of the restaurant.

Her grandfather bought the building which originally comprised of three shops, a coffee shop and a butcher shop which were run by her father, and a dairy.

Eventually Mommena’s mother took over the restaurant which become so successful that the other shops were closed and building alterations resulted in the present restaurant. Although new dishes have been added to the menus, none of the original dishes have been removed. This lunch visit ensured a most fitting and special end to a thoroughly enjoyable day.

NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the following new members: Steve & Lynda Tipping, Dwayne Kloppers, Mally MacCarthy, Reijer van der Vlugt, Teja Rossmeisl, Please note that membership renewals are due at the end of December. If your membership is not renewed you will no longer be on the mailing list for information regarding lectures and outings.

Charlotte Honiball Friends of Iziko South African Museum

Charlotte Honiball

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Below: Photos by Sherrilynn Woods and Jo Wicht.

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