Passbook Competition

The eThekwini Municipality’s Parks Recreation and Culture Unit will host the finals of the Passbook Competition for schools next month. The concept of the competition derives from the historical Natives Act 1952, commonly known as the Pass Laws Act, which made it compulsory for all black South Africans over the age of 16 to carry a ‘passbook’ at all times within white areas. The Passbook Competition is engineered by the Local History Museums (LHM) which is approaching its third and final phase, the prize giving ceremony will be held at the Bergtheil Museum, and is sponsored by the Durban West Community Tourism Organisation (DWCTO )

Through this competition, this infamous experience was remodeled through an experiential learning and a competition as learners from different participating schools were given an opportunity to visit four museums that fall under Local History Museums(LHM) (Old House, Bergtheil, Pinetown and Cator Manor Museum), and two heritage sites (Marian Hill Monastery and Palmiet Nature Reserve). Learners were thus issued with a ‘passbook’ that needed to be stamped as they visit at least all the participating LHM sites to qualify for the draw that will take place during the prize giving day. The prize giving ceremony will see one school being rewarded with a grand prize of the competition. However, all the schools that participated will be acknowledged. Individual learners also stand a chance to win different educational prizes of the day.

All the schools that participated in the competition will be invited to the final day of the competition. However since this is going to be an annual initiative, educators from different schools are welcome to attend so that they can get information on how to enter for next year.

The event will take place at Bergtheil Museum (16 Queens Avenue, Westville) on 18 October 2013 from 09h30 to 13h00