A first-of-its-kind competition where a journey for two on South Africa’s luxurious Blue Train can be won, was announced in Kimberley.
This museums passport competition combines Heritage and Tourism Month in September with Transport Month in October, and was launched on Friday, 20 September, at the Transnet Transport Museum in the Northern Cape’s capital.
The competition aims to significantly boost heritage tourism in the region and showcase the rich historical offerings in Kimberley.
To enter the competition, participants need to get their museums passport stamped after visiting four specific museums in Kimberley. These are the Big Hole Museum, McGregor Museum, William Humphreys Art Gallery (Whag) and the Transnet Transport Museum.
Taking this journey across the four museums, knowledge concerning South Africa’s history will deepen, while completed museums passports will be entered into a lucky draw to stand a chance to win this once-in-a-lifetime, one-way trip for two persons aboard the Blue Train, valued at R73 000.
The Blue Train is a luxury train that travels approximately 1 600 km between Pretoria and Cape Town, and vice versa. It is one of the most luxurious train journeys in the world, with the service being described as that of a “magnificent, moving five-star hotel”.
At the launch on Friday, Godfrey Cader, head of the Blue Train: Transnet Freight Rail, says this competition is a step forward to do more for Kimberley. He said visiting museums is to look in the rear-view mirror for a clearer view of the way forward.
Chepape Makgato, chief curator of the Whag, says this competition will increase the footprints to the collective initiative on offer in Kimberley, and that this will lead to growth.
“We are not doing it for ourselves, but for future generations. These four museums tell the story of Kimberley, a full story with different perspectives,” comments Thabo Seshoka, senior manager of Heritage Assets and Preservation: Group Business Development at the Transnet Group.
“Our goal is to promote Kimberley’s rich cultural history and ensure these institutions remain central to our community,” says Sunet Swanepoel, chief executive officer of the McGregor Museum, in a press release, commenting that the museums passport is a brilliant opportunity to engage with heritage in an interactive and rewarding way.
Get stamps on museums passport
- Entrants to the competition must be South African citizens and at least 14 years old. Any person below the age of 18 who wins the competition must be accompanied by an adult.
- Entrants must pay the entrance fees to the participating museums and spend at least 20 minutes in each, after which the museum will stamp the passport.
- After the visit to the fourth museum, in no particular order, the stamped passport will be deposited in the passport box situated at the entrance of the museum.
- Each entrant can only enter once.
- Within two weeks after the end of the competition period, a winner will be selected by a random draw. The draw will be conducted and verified by an auditor.
- The winner will be contacted on the contact details provided on the museums passport.
- If the winner can not be reached within three days, a second draw will be conducted.
- The winner is liable to cover their own costs in respect of transport and accommodation before and after the journey to and from the stations in Cape Town and Pretoria.
- The prize is to be taken up either between 1 January and 31 July 2025 or between 16 November and 31 December 2025.
- Entries are already open, and can be done until 18 October.
- Visit one of the four participating museums to collect a museums passport to be able to enter the competition.
The Big Hole Museum
Famous for its colossal man-made crater, this museum brings to life the story of diamond mining in Kimberley. The exhibits take visitors through the history of the diamond rush and the development of the city, featuring artifacts, period buildings, and immersive experiences.
Approximately 150 years ago the site of the Big Hole was a featureless, flat-topped hill. When word spread about the discovery of diamonds, thousands of prospectors, armed with nothing more than picks, shovels and hope, descended on Kimberley and created the largest hand-dug excavation in the world.
This historical diamond mine occupies a surface of 17 ha, is 463 m wide, has a depth of 240 m, and was active from 1871 to 1914.
It is one of the deepest cavities excavated by man.
Next to the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum.
- Operating hours are Mondays to Sundays from 08:00 to 17:00.
- On Mondays to Fridays the first tour commences at 09:00, and thereafter every hour. The last tour takes place at 16:00.
- On Saturdays and Sundays the first tour commences at 09:00, and thereafter every second hour. The last tour is at 15:00.
- The museum is closed on Christmas Day.
- Entry costs R140 per adult, and children four to 12 years old pay R100. A family package for two adult and three children aged four to 12 years old, costs R480.
- Viewing the Big Hole only costs R80.
Top left: The Big Hole in Kimberley. Top middle: At the Big Hole and the Kimberley Mine Museum, visitors get a glimpse into the past. Top right: Some of the exhibitions at the entrance to the Big Hole in Kimberley. Above: Part of the Kimberley Mine Museum. Photos: Helena Barnard
McGregor Museum
This museum showcases Kimberley’s natural and cultural history, from early human life to the liberation struggle. It features exhibitions that range from archaeology, paleontology, ethnography, and regional history, making it a cornerstone for anyone interested in the area’s diverse heritage.
The museum was established on 24 September 1907, when the original museum building in Chapel Street was donated to the people of Kimberley by Margaret McGregor.
By the late 1960s, the increasing size of the museum collections resulted in the museum staff and collections moving to the historical sanatorium building in Atlas Street.
Expanding in scope and function, the McGregor Museum is today the principal museum in the Northern Cape, with nine satellites, including the Duggan-Cronin Gallery, Dunluce House, Rudd House, the Magersfontein Battlefield, Pioneers of Aviation, the Wildebeest Kuil Rock Art Centre, and Wonderwerk Cave.
- It is located at 7-11 Atlas Street in Herlear, and is open on Mondays to Saturdays from 08:00 to 16:00, and on public holidays from 09:00 to 16:00.
- Entrance fees are R30 for adults, and R20 for children. A special price is applicable for school groups, for which booking is essential.
- For enquiries, dial 053-839-2700, write to enquiries@museumsnc.co.za or visit museumsnc.co.za/new_site/
Left: This staircase in the McGregor Museum leads to different exhibition halls in the museum. Right: A small part of the McGregor Museum in Herlear, Kimberley. Photos: Helena Barnard
William Humphreys Art Gallery (Whag)
Founded in 1972, the Whag is known for its extensive collection of South African and international art, and also offers significant cultural programming and educational outreach.
The gallery is a cultural hub in Kimberley, hosting exhibitions, workshops, and community events. The Whag is one of three national art museums in the country, and the only one in the Northern Cape.
It is situated next to the Oppenheimer Gardens at 1 Cullinan Crescent in Kimberley.
- The Whag can be visited Mondays to Fridays from 08:00 to 16:30, Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00, and on public holidays from 09:00 to 12:00. Tour guides are available by prior arrangement.
- Entrance fees are R5 per adult and R2 per child or scholar. Students with a student card have free entry. Guided tours, at R100 each, can be arranged.
- Dial 053-831-1724/5 or write to enquiries@whag.co.za or visit whag.co.za.
The William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley is one of three national art museums in South Africa. Photos: Helena Barnard
Transnet Transport Museum
This museum is a treasure trove of South Africa’s railway history and memorabilia that charts the evolution of the country’s transport heritage.
Housed in the 138-year-old Kimberley train station, it displays South Africa’s railway history and memorabilia, inviting guests to embark on a fascinating exploration.
It also offers a glimpse into the history of South Africa’s industrial advances over the years, accompanied by displays of antique furniture, silverware, and unique railway porcelain. Visitors can also explore the interior of a life-sized locomotive.
Educational tours are also offered. The museum operates from Mondays to Fridays from 08:30 to 16:30, and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
- Entrance fees are R20 per adult and R15 per child.
- It is situated at the Kimberley train station in Florence Road, Kimberley.
- Dial 053-838-2376 or write to heritage2@transnet.net or carien.viljoen@transnet.net.
Top left: A railway patrol cycle that was used during the Anglo-Boer War, which is on exhibition at the Transnet Transport Museum in Kimberley. Top right: Part of the outside exhibition at the Transnet Transport Museum. Above: The Kimberley Station, where the Transnet Transport Museum is situated. Photos: Helena Barnard
Scan this QR code for the rules of the competition.
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