A Lobatse Heritage Centre
Sandy Grant | Wednesday October 11, 2017 15:31
Two others of that interesting family were also present when it was formally opened in 1950, Mr HS Ebrahim and the young Ajam Ebrahim. Those who make the moves towards setting up a Heritage Centre should resist any notions that this would be the same as a museum. Museums have collections of artefacts which have to be securely, appropriately stored, researched and expensively displayed. Heritage Centres have no artefacts.
A Lobatse Centre would need someone, perhaps several people, all voluntary and part-time who together relish a challenge, are inquisitive, capable of doing small scale research, imaginative, almost certainly locally born and/or familiar with the town, able to communicate verbally and in writing, be comfortable with people of all backgrounds and races and be computer capable. With all this, paper qualifications become irrelevant. It will only be possible to establish a Heritage Centre if sufficient support is forthcoming from within the town. An office would need means of communicating – a Mac, a printer, phone and so on. Tools such as Facebook could be helpful.
Think about security. Engage as soon as possible with the Town Council and seek its support. Keep a proper record of expenses from day 1. No manga manga with money! Open as soon as possible, even with just a few photos such as the one shown here. They will help to bring interested people together and then they can join the Friends of Lobatse and its Heritage Centre at P5 or P10 each – or whatever can be afforded.
Make it known, by word of mouth that volunteers offering to help would be welcome such as a friendly lawyer who would offer his services regarding a Trust Deed. Also those with bright ideas and display and accounting skills. Lobatse is a pool of skills, talents and goodwill which can be used. Turn the town’s frustrations to positive effect. Start thinking about Lobatse’s famous residents. Do they possess inherited archival photos and other documents of interest?
Think about the Lobatse diaspora and about the Europeans who grew up as children or young adults there – now scattered around the world - they are still very much interested. Lobatse has had a long-time relationship with Mafikeng – see if that can be exploited. Get school kids involved. Go to the town’s dikgotla and tell them what you are trying to do. The same with schools and institutions. Seek out partners and supporting organisations. Make contacts.
Don’t expect the government to provide financial support, or indeed support of any kind. Don’t look for others to do it, you have to do it yourselves. Help Lobatse residents to know their own town, today and yesterday, to enjoy its diversity and help generate a sense of community pride and self-worth. Become a point of reference. Be alert to new opportunities as they emerge. Exploit all opportunities to make contact with the local big players, the Meat Commission, the banks, the railway, the Cumberland and other businesses. It’s your town after all, not anyone else’s!