Page 7 - Thola Issue 17

5
undergo a paradigm shift; we need
to consider how we communicate science, as well as whom we include in science activities. Our Education and Exhibition departments have performed an excellent task in helping to fulfill
this mandate. Having both accessed funding from NRF grants through the Southern African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, for National Science Week and the South African Science Lens (SASL) initiatives respectively, they have been able to penetrate under-served communities through various outreach programmes.
Extensive work has been done
by Dudu Hlatshwayo (supported by Immie Mostert and Andrew Carter)
to ensure that our rotating exhibitions programme has expanded to include the SASL competition images (with
an accompanying catalogue), as well as increased accessibility to these exhibitions by their translation into isiZulu. This programme, as well
as the state-of-the-art interactive Climate Change exhibitions, pushes our traditional museum exhibition boundaries to ensure that we are communicating our message to diverse audiences using different media in
a range of settings. The Exhibitions team has a rigorous programme
over the next 18 months, and have
set themselves a challenging, but exciting task of combining traditional diorama techniques with cutting-edge interactive technology.
I have been working closely with our Education Department (Busi Gumede, Sindi Nzama and Theshnie Naidoo) during the past year, and I have a new-found appreciation for their work. Benchmarking our education programmes with their international and national counterparts, the team has developed innovative comprehensive programmes that are relevant to their various audiences. Collections form
the foundation of all their activities, and their gruelling outreach schedule, now assisted by the Go-Wild Mobile Museum, ensures that different communities within eThekwini are exposed to the work undertaken by museums. None of this would be possible without the support of our
proficient volunteer programme, now in its 28th year of existence!
The work undertaken in natural science museums is an irreplaceable piece within the jigsaw puzzle
of biodiversity conservation, and complements the laudable efforts
by others within the environmental sector, all of us working towards similar objectives.
In closing, therefore, I would like to pay tribute to an extraordinary, globally recognised conservation legend and visionary, Dr Ian Player, who passed away on 30 November 2014. The
spirit of Dr Player is captured by the profound friendship that he shared
with Magqubu Ntombela – two men from different cultures who played a significant role in the conservation of South Africa’s biodiversity; who were, in the words of our late former president, Nelson Mandela, “a shining example of the spirit of the people of this country”. Dr Player had the ability to connect with people, regardless of stature, race or culture; a passion for the environment; an adeptness of being able to look into the hearts of people and the values that motivated their actions; and a relentless quest for the greater good. May we all one day be able to look back and say,
in Dr Player’s words, “I did my best for mankind and nature”.
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15