Cultural Museum, which is set to be one of Port Elizabeth’s historical landmarks, is nearing completion.

The multi-million-rand project at the heart of one of the city’s poorest communities, designed by University of Cape Town architecture and Planning School Director Professor Joe De Noero, is expected to be completed by February.

In March this year, the metro appointed a cultural officer Nonceba Shoba, to expedite the completion and operation of the museum after its construction had been stalled last year.

Twenty pupils from KwaZakhele, KwaDwesi, Red Location and Despatch are being trained in heritage management at the South End Museum. “It is going to be a unique structure, with memory boxes designed like rooms within the building.

“People need to get the feeling of what is inside,” Shoba said.

All the dimensions of the historical and cultural life of the people will be displayed in these memory boxes.

One of the unique features inside will be an auditorium where story-tellers and dramatists will interact with the audience.

Discussions between the cultural and heritage department and the metro are taking place for the appointment of a curator and project manager.

“The two will, with the communities, craft the mission and vision for the museum”, Shoba said.

The museum would be of huge educational significance for people wanting to pursue careers in archaeology, ethnology and anthropology, she said.

“This must not be one of the white elephants, but something that communities see as part of their everyday lives. This is huge challenge.”