Museums form an integral part of our society, not only to preserve and curate objects of historical value, but also to educate the youth about their cultural heritage.
International Museum Day is celebrated annually on 18 May and in keeping with tradition a speech competition for Grade 10 and 11 learners with English as first additional language was held at various Overberg museums on or around this date.
The theme for this year was “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being”. Each contestant could choose one of five given topics for their speech.
In Caledon the competition took place in the old Masonic Lodge of the Caledon Museum on Friday 19 May. This date was chosen to accommodate parents who requested to attend the event.
Marlon Sauls, Education Officer and tour guide at the museum, said: “Although there were fewer participants this year, I am very happy with the high standard of the speeches that were delivered. All participants delivered captivating and thought-provoking speeches on topics concerning the roles museums play in our communities, in preserving our history, fostering creativity and promoting cultural understanding. Listening to these speeches I can say I am proud our future is in such capable hands.”
It was encouraging to see Overberg High School had a participant at this year’s event and hopefully more will follow his example in future.
Caledon Museum’s top three contestants all chose the topic “If you were the museum manager and you could have one exhibit from any museum in the world, what would you choose?”
The winner of the competition, Zelnita Samuels, a Grade 11 learner from Swartberg Secondary (who also took top honours last year), chose to display Tutankhamun’s mask. Runner-up Damian Klein, Grade 10 learner from Overberg High School, would have liked to display the Terracotta Army, while third-placed Chriswin Hull, a Grade 10 learner from Swartberg Secondary, chose Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night painting for his museum.
Deputy Mayor John Michels handed the certificates and trophies over. In his speech he congratulated all the participants for taking part in the competition, gave them some valuable tips about public speaking and wished them well for the future, which he was certain would be bright.
The Genadendal Mission Museum hosted its speech competition on 18 May. Tiaan Steyn and Karla Steyn, both Grade 11 learners from De Villiers Graaff High School, secured first and second position, respectively, with Hope Dallas of Emil Weder High School claiming third spot.
In Bredasdorp the Shipwreck Museum hosted its speech competition on 23 May. Helena Kriel of Bredasdorp High School was the winner, with San-Mari Rossouw, also of Bredasdorp High School in second position, while Nondimuso Tinisi of Albert Myburgh Secondary School secured third position.
All the winners have qualified for a gala contest, which will be held later this year.
