Discover Strand's history in Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum
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Learn about Strand's migrant labour history at the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, which focuses on research and showcasing the migrant labour system and its impact on residents. Visiting the museum is a great way to learn about what the locals went through and the support initiatives.
Within the legal framework and policies of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the museum provides high-quality services and relevant programs to learners, students, and occasional visitors. In this way, visitors can better understand the implications and context of migrant labour in the past.
Background to its creation
There is no better place to learn about the harsh living conditions imposed by the migrant labour system than this museum. Originally, Lwandle was built in 1958 to accommodate workers in the nearby fruit and canning industries. However, these hostels provided basic accommodations with cramped living quarters and shared bathroom facilities for single men. In the 1980s, as movement restrictions relaxed, hostels became even more overcrowded and lacked the necessary facilities to support a growing population.
As democracy spread throughout South Africa, hostels in Lwandle began to transform into family-style accommodations. The community established a museum to preserve the memory of apartheid-era living conditions. Sandile Dikeni, a renowned poet and former resident of Lwandle, inaugurated the museum on Workers Day in May 2000.
Exhibits and museum tour
The Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum houses several interesting displays that provide insight into the town's past and present. Lwandle went from being a farm to having hostels and RDP dwellings built on the land, and the transition is documented in "Unayo na imap," an exhibition not to be missed. These maps show how the terrain has changed, which is quite helpful.
There are also photographs by David Goldblatt depicting the difficulties that migrant workers confront on their way to and from work each day. For previous migrants and contemporary Lwandle locals, the exhibition "The Transported of KwaNdebele" sheds light on home and provides insight into how they viewed the world.
Hostel 33 has been preserved as a local historic landmark. Here, guests can put themselves in the shoes of migrants and learn about the realities of life in the migrant labour system. Guests are taken on a guided stroll through Lwandle after the hostel tour, where they will see local monuments and learn more about the area's history, current challenges, and plans. After the hostel tour, guests are taken on a guided stroll through Lwandle - this interactive showcase teaches more about Lwandle's history and influence on modern Strand.
Educate yourself about migrants' issues and history
The Lwandle Museum preserves collective memory of the past and acts as an educational platform, encouraging visitors to engage in discussion and understanding. The museum is a testimony to the community's resilience and tenacity, ensuring that the memories and sufferings of migrant workers are shared and preserved for current and future generations.
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Author: Seeff
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