The beloved District Six Museum in the City CBD may be forced to close its doors after 25 years due to the impact of coronavirus of their business. They are asking patrons to financially assist in any way they can to keep this iconic institution running.
In an email, the Museum explained that the COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted on their business.
“Like many institutions across the private and public sectors in the country, we are feeling the dire impact of the closure of the cultural and tourism industries and the subsequent restrictions that came with the lockdown,” they said.
“While we may have gone to lockdown level 2, we do not foresee increasing visitor numbers in the next six months. We went from hosting over 69 000 self-guided visits and over 7 500 guided visits, to zero visitors to the Museum since the announcement of the lockdown in March. We understood the need to do this and recognised the part we had to play in protecting communities, our friends and family.”
The Museum has been a space for community activism and storytelling for over two decades. It has highlighted the lives of current and former District Six residents.
It will soon open its doors in accordance with Level 2 regulations, but they are concerned with maintaining the safety of their 15 staff members and ensuring the sustainability of the organisation.
“The Museum covers its operational expenses which includes staff salaries and administrative costs through the income generated by feet through the door. In addition to our guided and self-guided visits, we have conducted over 1 000 customised programmes with local and international schools and universities. As an independent museum, these activities are the bedrock for ensuring that we cover our costs.
“When District Sixers were handed their eviction notices, in true District Six fashion they renamed these notices ‘Love Letters’. This was a cynical comment on the casual indifference handed down by the Apartheid state, who saw only a ‘black spot’ that had to be removed, and not the deep ties that bound a community together.
“We are now asking you to send us a Love Letter, but this time, with real love and care!”
If you would like to support this famed institution, you can contribute in the following ways:
- A monthly donation of R50. This is the value of an entrance fee.
- A once-off donation of R110. This is the value of a guided visit.
- Larger once-off donations are welcome
Send your Love Letter via EFT:
Standard Bank
Account no: 070 293 686
Branch code: 020 909
Swift code: SBZ AZA JJ
Picture: Instagram / District Six Museum