The Iziko South African Museum, a 200-year-old institution known for its rich exploration of African heritage and natural history, has unveiled a groundbreaking exhibition that takes visitors on a captivating journey into the depths of South Africa’s relationship with the ocean. Titled The Sea and Us, this vibrant new exhibit is designed to engage children, families, and curious minds of all ages, guiding them through the complex and often urgent topics of marine biodiversity, sustainability, pollution, and conservation.
Installation view: The Sea and Us exhibition, Iziko South African Museum, ©Iziko Museums/Grant Williams
The exhibition’s star is Mbali, Iziko’s Young Explorer, a lively and curious character who acts as the perfect guide for young visitors. Through Mbali’s eyes, children are introduced to the wonders of the sea—from its cultural significance to the many ways South Africans have depended on the ocean for centuries. Mbali leads the way through an exploration of the precolonial era, where hunter gatherer communities lived in harmony with the ocean, fishing and harvesting marine resources in sustainable ways. It’s a captivating reminder that conservation is not a modern idea, but one deeply embedded in South Africa’s cultural history.
As visitors continue their journey, the exhibition explores the dramatic shift in South Africa’s relationship with the sea during the colonial period. Colonisation brought about changes that had long-lasting consequences on the country’s coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and maritime economy. The exhibition highlights how European settlers exploited marine resources for commercial gain.
Installation view: The Sea and Us exhibition, Iziko South African Museum, ©Iziko Museums/Grant Williams
Fast-forward to the present, and The Sea and Us brings the pressing environmental challenges of our time into sharp focus. Pollution is one of the most urgent issues plaguing South Africa’s oceans, and the exhibition dives deep into how plastics, oil spills, and untreated sewage damage marine life. Interactive displays invite children to understand the various types of pollution and their impact on the ecosystem, from the tiniest plankton to the grandest whales. Climate change is another major theme, as warming waters and ocean acidification are disrupting marine species’ migration patterns and threatening delicate ecosystems. The exhibition encourages visitors to connect the dots between their own actions and the state of the seas, empowering them to think critically about how they can make a difference.
In the heart of the exhibit, the importance of sustainable fishing practices is explored through a lively contrast between artisanal, subsistence fishing and commercial fishing industries. Visitors learn how small-scale fishermen depend on the ocean for their livelihoods, using sustainable techniques that support the balance of marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, the commercial fishing industry, which plays a significant role in meeting global demand for seafood, faces challenges related to resource management and the conservation of marine species. South Africa’s Blue Economy—a concept that ties economic growth to the responsible use of marine resources—is woven throughout the exhibit, highlighting the need for sustainability to ensure both ecological health and local prosperity.
The exhibit’s powerful message about marine conservation comes to life through a focus on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). South Africa has been at the forefront of creating MPAs, which play a vital role in preserving endangered species and restoring ecosystems. Visitors learn how the foundational sciences practiced by institutions like the Iziko South African Museum, with its vast marine biological collections, provide the evidence for declaring MPAs and why they are crucial for the long-term health of the ocean.
What sets The Sea and Us apart is its ability to combine education with entertainment. For children, the exhibition is an immersive experience that blends learning with play. They can trace marine creatures at the Tracing Table, explore a research ship that simulates sustainable fishing practices, and dig for marine life in a beach sand play pit. The experience of piloting a submersibletakes young explorers deep beneath the waves, offering a firsthand look at South Africa’s deep-sea ecosystems, complete with actual research footage of the mysterious underwater canyons that lie off the coast.
The exhibition is the product of collaboration between Iziko Museums, Scientists from the Oceans and Coasts Branch of the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment, and the World Wildlife Fund’s Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI), combining scientific expertise and conservation efforts to inspire future generations. By bringing these important issues into the public eye, The Sea and Us hopes to create a generation that understands the delicate balance between human activity and environmental preservation.
Ultimately, The Sea and Us isn’t just about learning facts; it’s about awakening a sense of responsibility and stewardship. It challenges visitors to think about the future of the oceans, how we interact with them, and what actions we can take today to ensure that future generations inherit a healthy, thriving marine environment. As the exhibition continues to inspire visitors, it serves as a call to action for anyone willing to listen: the ocean is calling, and it’s up to us to protect it for the next generation.
