As the part of the Wild Coast tourism rejuvenation initiative, Public Works is currently renovating the Port St Johns (PSJ) museum on behalf of the Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture. The project is worth R4.9 million and has a duration of eight (8) months.

The development of the museum is to increase the economy of Wild Coast and teach the community members about their history. The museum entails information about the origins of the name ‘Port St Johns’, a rock formation east of the Umzimvubu which reminded ancient mariners of St John, the Evangelist.

Furthermore, the museum is to collect, preserve, interpret, and display items of artistic and cultural significance for the education of the public. To showcase the indigenous lifestyle of the Xhosa people, their culture and heritage. One of the things that is in the museum is a man holding a drum, which signifies the musical part of their lives and how they enjoy themselves traditionally.

Project Manager, Thandolwethu Mfuku, said “The project has assisted me to get a registration as a Project Assistant Manager and it will also assist me in my dreams of becoming a Quantity Surveyor as I am handling the two (2) projects myself”.

She added, “The dynamics of dealing with two (2) Contractors is usually a challenge, handling co-ordination of two (2) contractors in one site, resolving disputes, making sure the Contractors are spending wisely and the quality of service is up to date”.

Written by: Pumlisa Royi, Nwabisa Ngcongco
Pictures by: Nwabisa Ngcongco, Pumlisa Royi