Preserving tradition and culture: Mphebatho Cultural Museum, North West province

YYou will be immersed in the lives of the Bakgatla through photographic displays, folklore, clay pottery, artefacts, traditional attire and documentary evidence on display in the museum. 

A sister museum to Mphebatho, the Phuthadikobo Museum, which also belongs to the community, is located in Mochudi, Botswana. Together, the museums illustrate how the Bakgatla have remained true to their roots over generations despite the distance that separates them. 

Like many of Africa’s cultures and customs, the museum performs an educational function as much as anything else. By recording and preserving the lives of the Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela, the museum helps to ensure that integral traditions are passed on to future generations to retain cultural identity 

In order to preserve the cultural practices and tribal policies of their people, community leaders established the museum in 1999. 

Among the founders was Mmakgotla Grace Masuku, who was responsible for sourcing artefacts from more than 30 Bakgatla villages. She also shared her comprehensive knowledge of customs, herbalism and conservation practised by her people over successive generations, so that these could be documented in perpetuity.  

On special occasions and for large groups, the museum’s curators are prepared to organise traditional dancing, cultural activities and African cuisine. An outdoor boma is also available for traditional storytelling in the evenings. 

TTravel tips & Planning  info 

Who to contact 

Mphebatho Cultural Museum 
499 Moruleng Boulevard, Saulspoort 
Tel: +27 (0)83 724 7770 
Email: mphebatho@executivemail.co.za 

How to get here  

The Mphebatho Cultural Museum lies 25km from Sun City in the Bojanala district of North West province, at 499 Moruleng Boulevard in Saulspoort, off the R510. 

Best time to visit  

Temperatures in the region from December to February, the hottest months, are frequently higher than 30⁰C in the middle of the day. This is also the time of year that the Highveld receives most of its annual rainfall, in the form of often spectacular afternoon thundershowers. Visitors from more temperate climes, or those who don’t fare well in extreme heat, might prefer the milder, drier autumn and winter months, from March to August. For those who can handle the heat, the spring and summer months (September to February), are reliably dry and sunny through most of the day, with the rainfall, when it comes, coming in the late afternoon and through the evening, often accompanied by dazzling thunder and lightning shows along the Pilanesberg mountain range. 

Things to do in the area  

The Sun City gaming and entertainment world, which offers hotels in several price ranges plus a casino, golf course, wave pool and crocodile farm, is half-an-hour’s drive away, along a route that takes nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts through the Pilanesberg National Park, nestled in a long-extinct volcanic crater and home to the Big Five. Hot-air ballooning is a popular way to explore the national park. You can also stay in the reserve or visit it for a day or half a day. 

What to pack  

Adequate sun protection and comfortable walking shoes. Average daytime temperatures are between 16⁰C and 20⁰C from May to August (also some of the driest months of the year), with cold, clear-skied nights perfect for stargazing, so jackets, hats, and coats can be handy. From October to February, daytime temperatures almost always peak above 25⁰C, and evening cloud cover ensures that the nights remain warm too, despite the cooling effect of late-afternoon thundershowers. 

What will it cost  

Entry to the museum is R30 for adults and R20 for children. 

Best buys  

If they're expecting your visit, local crafters will display their wares for sale outside the museum. 

Related Links 

• North West Parks & Tourism Board