The Durban Local History Museums’ Passbook Competition 2024 written by Ayanda Simelane

ARROWSA has continued to be a valuable partner of the Passbook Competition since its inception in 2013. The Competition once again invites schools from different parts of eThekwini to visit museums, take part in planned activities and stand a chance to win prizes. It is open to Grades 4 to 11, and schools that cater for Learners with Special Needs (LSEN) are also welcome.

The 2024 instalment of this competition was launched at its Educators' Workshop on 5 March 2024 at the Westville Civic Centre led by Ms Mohau Qalaza and her LHM team. The theme for the year is 'The Right to Vote Reflections 30 Years Later!' which will be integrated with the various components of the Competition, from visual arts submissions to written submissions and performing arts.

The competition links museum education andclassroom learning, focusing on history, heritage and creative arts. ARROWSA is committed to continuing this long-term partnership in 2024. The programme director at the launch was Dr Mary Lange, a long-standing member of ARROWSA management and the founder of MeL: Arts. Culture. Heritage (MeL). Ayanda Simelane, a member of the Passbook Competition Committee and ARROWSA management, also spoke at the launch. She deliberated on the education component, mainly focusing on grade-specific activities incorporating the History and Social Sciences curricula and the theme.

The visits to museums and other heritage institutions will commence on 4 April and will be open until mid-August. Auditions for the performing arts component, Abasha Bash! The finals will be held on 13 and 14 May and 13 June. During that week, visitors from Bremen, Germany will be participating in the Abasha Bash! The final phase of the Competition will be the Prize Giving Ceremony, which is due to take place on 19 September. ARROWSA plays an important role in adjudicating submissions and ARROWSA alumni, with MeL, in facilitating visits to the Palmiet Nature Reserve, which is a participating site.