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Abstract

The role of museums in Botswana has evolved from collecting ethnographic objects and exhibition development to architectural heritage conservation. This paper explores the evolution of museum development through case studies of the National Museum in Gaborone and a regional museum, the Phuthadikobo Museum in Mochudi. The study examines exhibition practices in these museums by discussing the limitations of traditional methods of exhibition and arguing in favour of a multi-layered exhibition method. Both the National Museum and Phuthadikobo Museum have now transformed into cultural institutions which now undertake architectural heritage conservation projects. These projects include the National Museum project which recreates three huts representative of the vernacular architecture of different tribes which we argue is a heritage-making project. The Phuthadikobo Museum proposes for an open-air museum that conserves the existing buildings in situ and addresses the intersection of heritage conservation, a sense of history, intangible heritage, and lived traditions. Situated within the debates on museum development and heritage conservation, the paper considers how museum development in Botswana could address the challenges of museum exhibitions and the questions on heritage authenticity.

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Author Biography

Katlego Pleasure Mwale
Katlego Mwale is a qualified and registered architect with Architectural Registration Council in Botswana (ARC). She is also an accredited architectural historian and architectural heritage specialist. She holds a PhD in Architecture from the University of Sheffield completed in 2018. Prior to that, she obtained a Masters of Arts in Conservation and Regeneration in 2014 and a degree in Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Botswana completed in 2009.

Susan Osireditse Keitumetse
Susan Osireditse Keitumetse, is at the University of Botswana's Okavango Research Institute as a researcher in cultural heritage and tourism where she undertakes applied research in areas, such as the Okavango inland Delta World Heritage Site and Kalahari Desert. She works towards developing a cultural heritage management program for Africa using experience from her work. Of particular note is her developing conservation model of Community-Based Cultural Heritage Resources Management (COBACHREM) to guide practitioners and scholars on management procedures that are specific to cultural resources.

Laurence Mwale
Laurence Mwale is a qualified and registered architect with Architectural Registration Council in Botswana (ARC). He holds a degree in Architecture and a Masters in Renewable and the Built Environments.

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