The Chief Director of Cultural Affairs for the Western Cape, Ms. Hannetjie Du Preez, will share a traditional birthday cake with a number of high profile guests when the Dias Museum Complex celebrates its 23rd birthday on February the 3rd this year.

“The celebrations will also commemorate Dias’ landing in Mossel Bay 524 years ago,” said the Museum’s manager, Mbulelo Mrubata.

He said that Alderlady Marie Ferreira, Commander Francois Roux of the South African Navy, and Mr. Harold Muller, the chairperson of the Dias Museum Management Committee, will address the gathering.

“The Dias Museum Complex is a significant icon of South Africa’s history, and an important tourism attraction,” he said.

“Dias’ landing in 1488 can be seen as the start of the modern era for Southern Africa, and we need to recognise its importance in our history.

“It was also the start of the history of maritime travel on the South African coast, which is why the Maritime Museum - the largest museum in the complex - is an important repository of information about the ships and shipping of the area.”

Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm said that the Museum’s Post Office Tree remains the attraction which most tour groups and independent travellers want to see.

“The tale of how, in 1501, Pêro (or Pedro) de Ataide left a letter hidden in the tree - in which he warned João da Nova of the dangers that he could expect when his fleet arrived in India - and of how da Nova found the letter in all that wilderness and almost against all odds, is one of South Africa’s great adventure stories,” she said.

“Certainly it’s captured the imagination of generations of visitors, and everyone who comes to Mossel Bay today wants to post a card from the Tree, even if they aren’t aware that the original letter was vital intelligence that helped Portugal to win her first significant naval battle in the Indian Ocean - the defeat of the Calicut Fleet off Cannanore on December 31, 1501.”

She said that the Dias Museum Complex also includes a number of other attractions - such as the replica of the Company’s Granary (which now houses revolving exhibitions, and a live specimen table which displays examples of the local vegetation); the Garden Route’s only Braille Trail (which is also an excellent introduction for sighted people to the fynbos of the area); the country’s largest Shell Museum; and a tranquil field garden which encourages relaxation and reflection.

Mr. Mrubata said that the coming year is going to be an exciting one for the Dias Museum Complex.

“We’ve been busy with the preliminary work for our transformation project, and studies are presently under way into how we can upgrade our exhibits, and keep the Complex relevant to the new generations of South Africans who’ve grown up since its inception.

“It’s too early to say exactly what’s going to happen, but we’ll definitely have some announcements in this regard by the time we’re ready to celebrate our 24th birthday next year,” he said.

By Martin Hatchuel Mossel Bay Tourism