Celebrating 10 years Karonga museum

Cultural and Museum Centre Karonga (CMCK) in November clocks a decade since its establishment.

As part of the celebrations, CMCK has lined up a number of activities, including using the celebration as a platform of not only informing the public of the museum, but also to raise money for the renovation of the roof of the museum building.

The roof , which is made of a synthetic material called onduline, needs urgent attention as it has deteriorated with weather.

According to Nkhwachi Mhango, lead fundraising coordinator, the choice of the roofing material was made in consideration of the curves that they wanted to achieve as it was inspired by the discovery of Malawisaurus bones (a Malawian species of the dinosaur).

During the celebrations two exhibition sections will be introduced in the museum: one is the Geology Section under the title, Stones telling us stories funded by the Hessian Government and a multi media section where there will be an exhibition Living Legends which calls for a discussion from the public as they share their individual memories of the decisive past fifty years in Malawi.

Since its establishment in 2004, the museum has only held one exhibition “From Dinosaurs to Democracy”.

The museum is popular because of the Malawisaurus bones that it has displayed since 2004. Hence, the dinosaur symbolises the museums general aim to demonstrate the nation’s progress, education and knowledge within and beyond the country.

Karonga Museum is run under cooperation and partnership between Uraha Foundation Malawi (UFM), the Malawian Government (Antiquities Department)and sister organization Uraha Foundation Germany [UFG], based in Germany.

Mhango pleaded with well-wishers in the corporate world and individuals, to donate towards rehabilitation of the museum.

“The CMCK would also want to assure all Malawians that in this joint project it’s committed to a transparent process. We have a fantastic record when it comes to handling finances and we have handled a number of donor supported projects,” said Mhango.

He further added that amid the challenges that the museum faces, it takes pride in preserving and communicating the richness of the Malawians natural and cultural heritage.