Another South African first: TV museum opens in Cape Town

On Wednesday, 27 November 2024, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Hisense South Africa, and the Sendinggestig Museum launched South Africa’s first-ever TV museum on Long Street, Cape Town.

The museum is set to officially open to the public next week, on 5 December 2024.

What can visitors expect at the museum?

Visitors to the TV museum can embark on a nostalgic journey through the evolution of television. The exhibits range from classic wooden box TVs with ‘bunny ear’ antennas to cutting-edge displays like the 110-inch UX model.

Key highlights include:

• Classic TV Sets: Iconic designs that span decades of television history.
• Gaming Consoles: Interactive screens featuring popular gaming consoles, including the Xbox Series X.
• 110-inch UX Display TV: The museum’s centerpiece, this massive screen is one of the largest available in South Africa, retailing for just under R400,000. It is manufactured at the Hisense factory in Atlantis, a facility that employs over 1,000 South Africans and is the largest TV production facility in sub-Saharan Africa.

Additionally, the museum will host school tours, art exhibitions, and technological workshops to educate and inspire visitors.

A hub for innovation and culture

Speaking at the launch, Guy Redman, Head of Department for Cultural Affairs and Sport, emphasized the museum’s significance:

“Through partnerships like these, we are fostering job creation, investment, and creating engaging opportunities for our youth to tell their own stories. We hope to see many school children through these doors in the years to come.”

Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, also praised the initiative:

“The unveiling of South Africa’s first Tevolution Museum by Hisense SA is a testament to the incredible journey of innovation and cultural enrichment that television has brought to our nation. This museum not only celebrates the evolution of technology but also highlights the Western Cape’s role as a hub for creativity and economic growth.”

A look back at South Africa’s TV history

South Africa’s first nationwide television broadcast occurred on 5 January 1976. In this historic moment, Dorianne Berry and Heinrich Marnitz welcomed viewers to the country’s ‘opening night’ of TV.

The TV museum will undoubtedly honor this milestone while offering visitors an immersive experience in the evolution of television technology.

The opening promises to be a remarkable addition to Cape Town’s cultural landscape, blending nostalgia, innovation, and creativity.