Phansi Museum – gem in the heart of a suburb

If you have not yet visited the Phansi Museum situated at the exquisite heritage site, Roberts House, in Glenwood, you are missing out on a warm encounter with local art, culture and history.
A national monument built in the late 19th century, the house in Esther Roberts Road is a well preserved example of a middle class British colonial style villa where the Roberts family’s daughter Esther was born. She was the first woman social anthropologist of the Colony of Natal and a well known author of research papers, a librarian and close friend of famous Afriana collector Killie Campbell.
She was a committed member of the Black Sash and often joined the organisation’s silent protests against racial discrimination in the city. She died more than ten years before democracy dawned in the country.
The Phansi goes Phezulu Gallery at the museum currently has a delightful exhibition running until June 10, entitled “Magical Msinga” of pencil crayon sketches by Jannie Van Heerden. The sketches depict the existentialist landscapes of Msinga in an expressionist style capturing the beauty of the rural region’s serrated rocks, African flora and people.
A selection of artistic masterpieces ranging from beaded sculptures and dolls, to life sized Msinga puppets in traditional clothes and a selection of unique aprons worn during the period of childbearing provide fascinating insight into the culture of local people. Artefacts from the Phansi, the George and Liz Zaloumis, and the Jolles collections have been drawn to support the exhibition.
Entrance to the exhibition is free but guided tours of the museum must be booked. The cost of a guided tour is R50 for adults and R20 for children.The museum is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 3pm on Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.
For more information call  (031) 206 2889,  email admin@phansi.com or visit their website.