Durban - I love visiting museums, both locally and overseas and, for my money, Dundee in KwaZulu-Natal has one of the best in the country.
It is a great place to spend several hours, just browsing through the many activities that make up human life.
Known as the Talana Museum and Heritage Park, it is at the foot of Talana Hill and housed in 23 buildings on an eight hectare park.
Fascinating exhibits cover the making of glass, women’s fashions through the decades, agriculture, mining and war that covers the Anglo-Boer, Anglo-Zulu and World War I. The museum is also short driving distances from some of the most famous battlefields in the country: Blood River, Rorkes Drift, Fugitives Drift, Isandlwana, Elandslaagte, Spioenkop, Colenso and the Siege of Ladysmith.
It was also the site, on October 20, 1899, of the first major battle of the war between the British and the Boers.
The Zulu name “Talana” meaning “the shelf where precious items are stored” is a most appropriate name for this large and varied museum.
Given the area’s rich mining history I found the mining exhibit particularly interesting, giving visitors a feel for what it is like to work underground. There was a strong emphasis on safety in the working environment and it was sobering to see how mining tragedies affected towns and villages.
A favourite exhibit with many people is the history of glass, showing the many different uses for glass, from the practical to the ornamental. It is one of those exhibits that visitors can linger over.
Also interesting is a recreated street from earlier days, showing the work of a pharmacist and printer, among others.
I was fascinated to see how strong the links of Mahatma Gandhi were with the area, and his strategies to put pressure on the colonial administration on behalf of the resident Indian community. His passive resistance campaign had its germination here.
Having served as a stretcher bearer at the battle of Spioenkop, Gandhi saw first hand the appalling result of warfare and this inspired him to find other ways to resist and eventually win battles.
The waste of war is also shown in the exhibit that looks at the contribution of South African troops during World War I, in South West Africa and the Battle of the Somme, including the Battle of Delville Wood. Many of the casualties were young men from KwaZulu-Natal.
With so much still to see and so little time, some of our party made it a priority to visit the museum’s excellent curio shop for some retail therapy.
Rather parched, we headed for the restaurant for snacks and tea and stumbled on a great Sunday lunch venue. The restaurant is clearly known for the buffet, and it’s reasonably priced. There seemed to be a great selection of vegetable dishes, salads and different types of meat, including venison. There were several large groups made up of families and friends lining up to have their turn at the buffet.
Reluctantly, we had to leave to head back to Durban, but that buffet alone looks worth it for a return visit to the museum. But one would need to build up an appetite first and with so much to see, that would not be difficult.
If You Go...
Web: www.talana.co.za
Open: Daily, 363 days a year, the museum takes about half a day for a quick visit. Closed on Christmas and Boxing days.
Hours: Weekdays 8am to 4.30pm, Weekends and public holidays 9am to 4.30pm
Note: No facilities for credit or debit cards for entrance fee.
Deon Delport, Independent on Saturday