Mthatha Museum

The Museum was established by the then new Republic of Transkei in 1978. Its purpose was to collect, preserve and display material objects of cultural history or ethnography on the main. at that time, Transkei hoped to attract lots of overseas tourists. It was mwant to showcase the peoples of the new state and culture. Like the National Library Services and Archives, the Museum was one of the support services of the Department of Education. As such, it had to change its focus and not be tourist oriented only, but assist in the formal education and research. For that reason, it changed from a purely cultural history museum to a Natural History Museum. The research areas of the museum covers both human and natural history. Departments include the following Human History -Anthropology -Archaeology -History -African and Colonial -Modern History -Struggle for Liberation Natural History -Ichtyology -Mammals -Ornithology -Shells The museum is housed at the old Umthatha General Post Office which is located at the corner of York Road and Victoria Street, Mthatha. It has a branch at the old Masnic Lodge at Port St. Johns. Opening Times Weekdays only, 0800 – 1630