Nhabe Museum Celebrates 30 Years Of Preserving Ngamiland’s Cultural Heritage

As Nhabe Museum prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary on June 6, the institution is reflecting on three decades of preserving cultural heritage while charting a future centred on community engagement, sustainability and cultural education.
Speaking ahead of the milestone celebrations, Museum Manager Tumelo Thuthuka said the anniversary is not only a celebration of the museum’s history but also an opportunity to strengthen its connection with the people of Ngamiland.
“Celebrating 30 years is more than just a milestone; it is a journey of remarkable achievements, cherished memories and lasting connections,” said Thuthuka. “The museum belongs to the community. We want to ensure that it acts as a critical space for safeguarding our culture, celebrating our diversity and contributing toward nation-building.”
Established in 1994, Nhabe Museum is housed in a historic building dating back to 1939. Originally constructed by the British military and used as a World War II surveillance post, the structure has since been transformed into a centre for cultural preservation and education.
Thuthuka said the museum aims to serve as a reflection of the district’s rich cultural diversity.
“When someone walks into the Nhabe Museum, they are supposed to see the entire district reflected here,” he said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the museum will showcase indigenous knowledge systems, cultural practices and artistic traditions from communities across Ngamiland. Organisers plan to document live demonstrations and cultural performances, adding them to the museum’s archives as valuable resources for future generations and researchers.
The celebrations will encourage active public participation, with community members invited to attend in traditional attire. Activities will include traditional food exhibitions, cultural performances, poetry, music and dance, as well as demonstrations of local crafts such as basket weaving and traditional clothing production.
“We want our people to be at the forefront,” Thuthuka said, acknowledging the support of local artists, performers and community groups who have volunteered their time and talents for the event.
The anniversary is also expected to bring together traditional leaders, government officials and members of the private sector. Invitations have been extended to heads of departments, dikgosi and other community leaders. The Paramount Chief, who serves as patron of the museum, is playing a key role in mobilising community participation.
Corporate partners have also contributed towards the celebrations. Chobe Holdings has pledged funds towards the construction of traditional huts designed to enhance the cultural authenticity of the museum grounds.
Despite ongoing financial challenges, Thuthuka said the anniversary provides an opportunity to explore new avenues for growth and long-term sustainability.
“This gives us an opportunity to plan ahead for museum sustainability, commercial growth and revenue generation,” he said. “By strengthening market access for local artisans and deepening our roots in the community, we can ensure Nhabe Museum remains a vibrant, self-sustaining source of pride for the next 30 years and beyond.”
The anniversary celebrations are expected to highlight the museum’s role as a custodian of Ngamiland’s cultural heritage while reinforcing its vision of becoming a living cultural space that continues to serve and unite communities across the district.