Each year, International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May to highlight the importance of museums in cultural exchange, education, and heritage preservation. The 2025 theme, “The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities,” encourages institutions to reflect on how they can evolve and thrive amid accelerating social, technological, and cultural transformation.
In celebration of this year’s theme, we are proud to highlight an exciting permanent exhibition on display at the IZIKO South African Museum in Cape Town. Titled “The Sentinels of the South”, this exhibit focuses on the Antarctic region and showcases the vital historical and environmental narratives associated with South Africa’s involvement in Antarctica.
The Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA) is honoured to collaborate with IZIKO on this meaningful initiative. Through this partnership, we aim to bring greater public awareness to South Africa’s enduring contributions to Antarctic research and exploration, while also demonstrating how museums can serve as dynamic platforms for education and engagement in a rapidly evolving world.
In line with our commitment to digital accessibility, ALSA also developed a digital museum in 2016, allowing users to explore our curated collections virtually. This resource is available for download and serves as a valuable tool for educators, interested in Antarctic heritage. For more information on the digital museum or our work with IZIKO, please feel free to contact ALSA.
Let us continue to celebrate and support museums as they bridge the past, present, and future—adapting, innovating, and inspiring generations to come.