350 years of schooling, the UDF, and Mandela and Sisulu birthdays

In April, South African History Online opened an exhibition on the History of Education in South Africa. The occasion was the 350th anniversary since the founding of the first school in South Africa, on 17 April 1658 in the rudimentary structures of the Dutch East India Company even before they build the Castle. The opening was addressed by the Director General of Education in the Ministry of Education and the keynote address was delivered by Ambasador Rob de Vos of the Royal Netherlands Kingdom. The Exhibition opening wa followed by a colloquium on the current state of education where several commentators and educationists exchanged ideas and perspectives on South African education today.

You can visit the online feature on 350 years of education in South Africa, as well as see photographs from the event.

if you’re in Cape Town, you can still visit the exhibition which is up at the Iziko Slave Lodge Museum at the corner of Adderley and Wale Streets in the city centre.

Upcoming events to look out for are the 90th birthdays of Nelson Mandela (18 July) and Albertina Sisulu (21 October). SAHO will shortly be launching new online features on these two icons of the struggle against apartheid.

This year is also the 25th anniversary of the funding of the United Democratic Front which formed the basis of the mass movement of the 1980s. SAHO is working on a feature on this important organization. Watch this space!