Every year on 18 May, museums around the world celebrate International Museum Day — a global occasion recognising the vital role museums play in preserving heritage, inspiring curiosity, and connecting communities through stories of the past, present, and future.
For the Antarctic Legacy of South Africa (ALSA), this day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of safeguarding South Africa’s rich polar history and sharing it with future generations. One of the best places to experience this legacy firsthand is the Sentinels of the South exhibition at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town.
A Window into South Africa’s Antarctic Story: The Sentinels of the South exhibition examines the history, discoveries, and current role of South Africa’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean exploration. Located at the Iziko South African Museum, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the challenges of early Antarctic exploration, South Africa’s scientific contributions, and the unique biodiversity of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. From the Prince Edward Islands and Gough Island to SANAE research stations and the SA Agulhas II, the exhibition highlights how South African scientists, engineers, meteorologists, technicians, and support staff have contributed to polar research over many decades.
Visitors can explore displays showcasing:
• South Africa’s Antarctic research history and expeditions
• The role of the Southern Ocean in understanding climate change
• Antarctic biodiversity and fragile ecosystems
• The importance of long-term environmental monitoring
• Modern polar infrastructure, including the SA Agulhas II and SANAE IV
• Archival photographs, artefacts, and stories from overwintering teams
The exhibition also demonstrates why Antarctica and the Southern Ocean matter to everyday South Africans. These remote regions serve as natural laboratories for understanding global environmental change, ocean systems, biodiversity conservation, and climate processes that affect weather patterns and ecosystems worldwide.
Preserving the Legacy: ALSA works to preserve and digitise South Africa’s Antarctic heritage, including photographs, expedition reports, oral histories, maps, diaries, artworks, and scientific records. Since South Africa annexed the Prince Edward Islands in 1948, generations of expedition members have helped build a remarkable archive documenting life and science in some of the world’s most remote environments. Many of these materials contributed to the development of Sentinels of the South, helping transform archival records into a dynamic public exhibition that allows visitors to connect with South Africa’s polar heritage.
International Museum Day reminds us that museums are more than repositories of objects — they are spaces where stories are preserved, conversations are sparked, and knowledge is shared across generations.
If you are in Cape Town, we encourage you to visit the Sentinels of the South exhibition at the Iziko South African Museum and discover the remarkable story of South Africa’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean legacy.
📍 Iziko South African Museum 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town
The exhibition is currently on display and forms part of the museum’s ongoing commitment to science communication, environmental awareness, and heritage preservation.
On this International Museum Day, ALSA celebrates the museums, archivists, curators, researchers, and expedition members who continue to preserve and share South Africa’s polar story.