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The Citizen
24-05-2025
- The Citizen
Step into Durban's past: Old Court House Museum brings City's rich history to life
ONE of eThekwini's oldest buildings is now a treasure house that holds the history detailing the origins of Durban and her people. Situated less than a minute away from Durban City Hall and the Natural Science Museum, the Durban History Museum (Old Court House Museum) boasts several wonders and documents that detail the birth of eThekwini and its rich and colourful heritage. The free to enter building, which was designed by architect Stanley Hudson and was erected in 1911, is listed as being among the oldest public buildings in the CBD. Affectionately known as the Old Court House Museum, the building's history itself tells a tale of how it was Durban's first and only courthouse. It served as a canteen and recruitment centre during the two World Wars and then later a library, before it was declared a national monument in 1980. It now houses the remaining trunk of the 'Dead Man's Tree' which was once used to hang up notices informing people of significant deaths and burials, earning itself the unique name. The tree trunk greets you at the door as you walk towards the display of old tiny models of different modes of transport that lead to the Court Room exhibit. In there you will find Zulu traditional clothing and beadwork that highlights Durban's link to the history of KwaZulu-Natal. In a corner sits the majestic and colourful headgear that is often worn by the rickshaw operators along the Durban beachfront. As you walk to the other side of the museum, nestled to the left is The Daphne Strut Costume Room which documents Indian heritage. From brightly coloured saris to prayer goods, it honours its links to the world's second-largest Indian community. One of the most striking features of the museum is its impressive collection of photographs that cover some of the walls of the second floor. These images capture the essence of Durban's evolution over the years, showcasing everything from early colonial settlements to modern urban landscapes. The photographs are not just visual records; they are windows into the lives of the people who have called Durban home. In addition to photographs, the museum boasts an array of paintings and posters. These artistic pieces provide a colourful and vivid portrayal of the region's cultural and historical milestones. The paintings are a testament to the artistic talent that has flourished in Durban, depicting scenes of everyday life, significant events, and the natural beauty of the area. The museum also houses a fascinating collection of workshop and agricultural implements. These tools and equipment highlight the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who have lived and worked in Durban. They offer a glimpse into the daily lives and labour practices of the past, emphasising the region's agricultural and industrial heritage. Archaeological items round out the museum's collection, offering a deeper historical perspective. These artefacts, unearthed from various sites around Durban, include pottery, tools, and other remnants of ancient civilisations that once thrived in the area. As we come to the end of International Museum Week, May 18 to 25, you can visit this historical site from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00, and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:30. Admission to the museum is free. For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter here
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- The Citizen
Durban's oldest museum showcases City's heritage
ONE of eThekwini's oldest buildings is now a treasure house that holds the history detailing the origins of Durban and her people. Situated less than a minute away from Durban City Hall and the Natural Science Museum, the Durban History Museum (Old Court House Museum) boasts several wonders and documents that detail the birth of eThekwini and its rich and colourful heritage. The free to enter building, which was designed by architect Stanley Hudson and was erected in 1911, is listed as being among the oldest public buildings in the CBD. Affectionately known as the Old Court House Museum, the building's history itself tells a tale of how it was Durban's first and only courthouse. It served as a canteen and recruitment centre during the two World Wars and then later a library, before it was declared a national monument in 1980. It now houses the remaining trunk of the 'Dead Man's Tree' which was once used to hang up notices informing people of significant deaths and burials, earning itself the unique name. The tree trunk greets you at the door as you walk towards the display of old tiny models of different modes of transport that lead to the Court Room exhibit. In there you will find Zulu traditional clothing and beadwork that highlights Durban's link to the history of KwaZulu-Natal. In a corner sits the majestic and colourful headgear that is often worn by the rickshaw operators along the Durban beachfront. As you walk to the other side of the museum, nestled to the left is The Daphne Strut Costume Room which documents Indian heritage. From brightly coloured saris to prayer goods, it honours its links to the world's second-largest Indian community. One of the most striking features of the museum is its impressive collection of photographs that cover some of the walls of the second floor. These images capture the essence of Durban's evolution over the years, showcasing everything from early colonial settlements to modern urban landscapes. The photographs are not just visual records; they are windows into the lives of the people who have called Durban home. In addition to photographs, the museum boasts an array of paintings and posters. These artistic pieces provide a colourful and vivid portrayal of the region's cultural and historical milestones. The paintings are a testament to the artistic talent that has flourished in Durban, depicting scenes of everyday life, significant events, and the natural beauty of the area. The museum also houses a fascinating collection of workshop and agricultural implements. These tools and equipment highlight the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who have lived and worked in Durban. They offer a glimpse into the daily lives and labour practices of the past, emphasising the region's agricultural and industrial heritage. Archaeological items round out the museum's collection, offering a deeper historical perspective. These artefacts, unearthed from various sites around Durban, include pottery, tools, and other remnants of ancient civilisations that once thrived in the area. As we come to the end of International Museum Week, May 18 to 25, you can visit this historical site from Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:00, and on Saturdays from 08:30 to 12:30. Admission to the museum is free. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Sun
New species of dog-sized killer dinosaur that roamed Earth 220m years ago discovered – but its name isn't too catchy
A NEW dog-sized dinosaur species that roamed the Earth 220 million years ago has been discovered. The Maleriraptor kuttyi is thought to be one of the earliest killer dinosaurs in history. 2 2 The now-extinct dinosaur is believed to have lived some 220 million years ago - during the Triassic period. The small but mighty beast could grow to a height of 3.2 feet and a length of 6.5 feet - about the size of a large-breed dog such as a Great Dane. And the creature was one of the earliest known carnivorous dinosaurs, along with the rest of the Herrerasauria family. Dr. Martín Ezcurra from the Argentina's Natural Science museum said: 'Herrerasaurs represent the oldest radiation of predatory dinosaurs.' The fossilised dinosaur bones were discovered more than in Telangana, India forty years ago. But only now have scientists identified exactly what species these bones belonged to. Herrerasauria fossils were previously found in South and North America. But the new bombshell discovery has proved that the creatures roamed far more of the Earth than previously thought. And the dinosaurs in India are believed to have outlived those elsewhere. Scientists believe this might be because India had a similar climate to South America during the Triassic period. This comes after a giant horned dinosaur species was unearthed in Egypt. The predatory dinosaur species, named Tameryraptor markgrafi, was originally discovered in 1914 by Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach who died in 1952. The 95million-year-old skeleton was excavated in the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt before it was stored in the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology in Munich, Germany. But the remains were destroyed along with other Egyptian discoveries when Munich was bombed in World War Two. Tragically the only remnants of the dinosaur discovery were Dr Stromer's notes, illustrations of the bones and black and white photographs of the skeletons. But Dr Stromer's records have now been reanalysed in a new study. Maximilian Kellermann, the study's first author said: 'What we saw in the historical images surprised us all. "The Egyptian dinosaur fossil depicted there differs significantly from more recent Carcharodontosaurus found in Morocco.'
