Clive Thabo Dube
AS the world celebrates International Museums Day, there is not so much to celebrate for the history and heritage conservators in Bulawayo who hosted this year’s commemorations.
Museums play an integral part in the development of communities and societies. Hence this year’s theme, ‘Museums, Sustainability and Well- being’.
Tasked to be the educators of the past, contributors of the future and keepers of the country’s heritage, and identity, the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo struggles to effectively carry out its mandate being another statistical victim of ZESA.
In 2021, the museum was hit by a storm of electricity challenges deemed to be culminated from US$700 000 debt owed to ZESA. The country’s electricity provider saw it fit to switch off all lights to the facility.
Speaking on the sidelines of International Museums Day celebrations in Bulawayo, National Museums executive director Dr. Godfrey Mahachi said the debt has been paid up and the facility has been solarised to tackle the issue of power cuts.
“We have a bit of solar power but obviously that is a huge museum, the level of investment has to be as big in order for us to adequately do that. But we are approaching it by phasing to try to make sure that the museum is not closed all the time when there is a power outage. Solaring is the option that we are going by, not only here but in other museums throughout the country.” Said Dr. Mahachi.
“We are up to date. There is no huge debt, there is no debt other than what needs to be paid in terms of monthly charges.”
With large parts of the museum being closed, the number of tourists in the post Covid-19 period has drastically fallen from nearly 10 000 tourists monthly to a less than 2 000. Both local and visitors.
But who would visit a dark gallery?
“It has been a challenge to resuscitate visitorship to museums following Covid-19. The culture of visiting museums was being discouraged actively during the Covid-19 period. Now we must reverse that to try and get people to visit museums and heritage sites again.
“The international visitorship is also still emerging from Covid-19 We survive on visitorship and that visitorship is very important because that’s where we pump back our revenue into our programs.” He added.
Despite all the challenges, Dr. Mahachi revealed that there are plans to expand the country’s museums with the construction of the Liberation War Museum. As well as develop other small museums like the Nambya Community Museum in Hwange.
The Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, through its historical exhibitions, preservation of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and mineral wealth struggles since the Ministry’s budget is concentrated on the Zimbabwe Republic Police force who share the ministry with Museums.
The only natural history museum in Zimbabwe plays a significant role in tourism. One of the pillars of the country’s crippling economy.