uMkhumbane Museum Memories

A People without the Knowledge of their Past History, Origin and Culture is like a Tree without Roots – Marcus Garvey.

A Melting Pot of Cultures – Share a Common History

Collective – Strength

Women – Strength

Historical Timeline

1650 –       Earliest known history: settled by Nqondo Clan

1730 –       Land occupied by Ntuli Clan

1843 –       Land ownership given to George Cato the mayor of Durban

1908 –       Native Beer Act passed

1914 –       Subdivided plots of land to Indian market gardeners developed along the uMkhumbane River as a source of irrigation.

1932 –      Cato Manor was integrated into the Borough of Durban (Fig. 6.)

1939 –       Influx of African inhabitants created a vibrant hybrid culture

1945 –       First tensions between the 50 000 mixed race inhabitants, fostered by apartheid rule

1948 –       Beginning of Apartheid Rule in SA

1949 –        African-Indian Riots

1950 –        Group Areas Act passed Riot against pass laws led by women of Cato Manor

1959 –         Beer hall riots against beer making laws and forced removals

1962-64 –   uMkhumbane bulldozed to the ground approximately 150 000 people forced to relocate

1980’s –     People return to the area (Home to 93 000 people)

                   Further destruction of public institutions in the area due to political unrest throughout the country

1990 –      Early 1990s, mass invasion back into the area

1991 –      Apartheid Legislation abolished

1993 –      (CMDA) Cato Manor Development Association formed to facilitate urban and regional planning and improve social services and economic opportunities in the community

1994 –      Elections creates democratic SA (Nelson Mandela becomes first black president in SA), (RDP) Reconstruction and Development Programme -South African socio-economic policy and framework implemented by the African National Congress (ANC)

1995 –     Cato Manor becomes presidential lead project

1997 –     (EU) European Union funding to work alongside CMDA

2001 –    (ABM) Area Based Management of eThekwini Municipality creates catalyst between community and new infrastructure, facilitating cohesion, community planning and participation; economic and skills development.

2002 -Feasibility for Heritage Centre complete and Selection of Site approved by community and donated by the UKZN

2003 –      Selection of an Architect through a National Architectural Design Competition

2012 –      Construction of phase 1 – Site preparation, Reinternment of a Zulu Queen who becomes the muse to the project

2014-17 –   Construction and inauguration of the uMkhumbane museum