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An exhibition to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Square Hill and the role of the Cape Corps during World War One was opened at the McGregor Museum on Thursday (08/11) in marking the centenary commemorations of the end of this war.
Men of the 1st Battalion Cape Corps, serving with British Genl Edmund Allenby’s forces in Palestine, recorded a notable victory in the last months of the war when they fought the Turks to a standstill to take the tactically important Square Hill in a battle that lasted from 19 to 21 September 1918.
During the action the Cape Corps captured an enemy field gun, the first gun captured on the Palestine front during Allenby’s offensive.
This gun was brought back to South Africa where it became the focal point of the Square Hill Memorial in Kimberley.
Sunet Swanepoel of the McGregor Museum commended the exhibition, adding that it would come in handy for those tourists that are interested in the culture and heritage history that affect the society.
“Heritage tourism is very important to our nation in a sense that it also helps our society to learn about the origins of our heritage, aimed at the celebration and appreciation of historic sites of recognised cultural importance, which we all have on display at our museum,” Swanepoel said.
She said the timing of the launch came at a special time, as the country celebrates the centenary of the late stalwarts Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.
Colin Fortune, chairperson of the Northern Cape Tourism Board, welcomed the launch.
“We are expecting visitors to the province for the summer holidays and this exhibition comes at the right time to give visitors more tourism experience to look forward to while spending time in the Northern Cape,” said Fortune.
“I invite all visitors to explore our tourism attractions and experience our hidden gems.”
Exhibitions can also be viewed when visiting the McGregor Museum in Atlas Street.
The Journey to Democracy, 1652 – 1994, with an emphasis of the role of the Northern Cape in the struggle for the liberation of South Africa, includes the role of Robert Sobukwe.
A temporary exhibition honouring the centenary of the birth of ANC stalwart Albertina Sisulu is also housed.
The Nelson Mandela Centenary exhibition, titled Nelson Mandela’s footprints in the Northern Cape, which opened on 1 August, can also still be viewed at the McGregor Museum.
Call the McGregor Museum on 053-839-2700 for more information on the visiting times and details about exhibitions, or visit www.experiencenortherncape.com.
