Tucked in the middle of the Soweto suburb of Rockville, just 200 meters from Regina Mundi – South Africa’s largest Roman Catholic Church – the newly established Inspirational Museum invites the public to experience ancient sacred space. Nearly four years after running as a pilot, the amazing Inspirational Museum, founded by Mandy Mankazana has finally opened its doors to the public.
It affords visitors a platform to embark on a spiritual journey through time and reconnect with sacred ancient African mythologies, African wisdom, natural astrology, African wisdom in natural medicine, as well as the knowledge of Mother Nature and humanity.
Upon arrival at this hidden gem, visitors are immediately greeted by the friendly staff, who provide a guided tour of the exciting museum. Visitors must remove their shoes as they enter the premises, richly endowed with Mankazana’s zulu folklore and objects.
“Visitors will experience a rejuvenating feeling of the ground, fragrances of the flowers and sounds of birds calling as they reconnect with the earth,” says Karabo Zulu, a museum assistant.
The museum was once a home for the Mankazana family, before becoming an accommodation for university students. It marks a milestone in her family’s history and honours a premonition by the late Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, a sangoma and author.
The museum’s artistic contents are constructed almost entirely of recycled materials, with a variety of green medicinal plants.
“When people enter the museum, they should follow blue footprints on the ground and choose their own route around the special spaces, pausing for thought and peace where they find it,” says Mankazana.
“Our museum offers an important insight of our past through ancient sacred storytelling, ancient mind healing sessions, holistic healing, and medical lessons from natural plants. The museum also offers opportunities to upcoming local artists to showcase and sell their artwork,” she adds.
The Inspirational Museum was established in 2018 and was launched in September 2022.
“I am honoured to be the first woman in tourism to develop and take Soweto to the next chapter of history in this kind of way,” says Mankazana.
“The main aim is to enrich young Black African minds with African knowledge and wisdom, so they know and understand their origin.”
The Inspirational Museum is open to the public between Monday and Sunday from 9:09 am to 4:29 pm. Tourists pay R249 per person while locals are charged R129. Different fees are charged for holistic healing and treatments.
Those who want to visit the museum can use Rea Vaya. The City’s bus rapid transit system has launched an initiative informing the public about a variety of unique attractions along its route. Commuters from Johannesburg can take the Trunk 1 Bus to Thokoza Park (Soweto), from Ellis Park East (Doornfontein) and link with the F5 Eldorado Park to Lake View.
Written by Getrude Mamabolo
02/11/2022