Albert Thomas Oral History Project

On 1 September 1967, the Apartheid government in terms of its policy of segregating South African along racial lines - declared in terms of the Group Areas act that all black people were to be removed from Simon’s Town and the town was declared a White Group Area. The forced removal of Black people irrevocably destroying the multi-cultural fabric of Simon Town society. Whilst a small number of families managed to stay in Simon’s Town, the majority of people were forced to relocate to a new township established for Coloured people and others were forced to more to "African or Native" townships in the Cape Peninsula. 

These ramifications continue to impact the lives of people in South Africa today - both the people who were forcibly removed and their descendants. There is a danger that the stories of the forced removals in Simonstown will disappear, as the increasingly elderly individuals pass away. Additionally, many people in the communities where people were relocated to, are unaware of the origins of their communities.  

The project seeks to ensure that the stories of human rights violations and its impact are recorded as a step towards restorative justice and healing from the violence of apartheid. The project also seeks to build on the legacy of activist and writer, Albert Thomas who began the process of recording the stories of forcer Simonites. 

The telling of the Simone's Town story is to help the Museum to build a comprehensive research and exhibition programme to make the story accessible as an intergenerational tool for dialogue, education, and intervention to both local and international audiences.  

The project will comprise of the following elements: 

* Oral history  interviews with people who were forcibly removed from Simon's Town

* Film making and interviewing training workshops for youth connected to or interested in Simon's Town. 

* Develop educational materials to assisting learners in understanding the basic principles of conducting community history projects.  

* Produce a short documentary on the history of the community.

through the lives of people who lived through the ordeal of removals.

* Update the website for the Museum 

* Assist in digitising process 

* Produce an accessible digital archive of the stories of people of Simonstown. 

* Produce a mobile exhibition for use in schools and outreach programmes. 

This collaboration between South African History Online ("SAHO") and the Simon's Town Museum ("the Museum") is important in helping preserve and share the stories and history of the 7000 people in Simon's Town who were forcibly relocated to other parts of the Cape Peninsula and beyond. It is a participatory and collaborative initiative that enables these people to share their stories and experiences, raise awareness, and spark conversation between the past and the present

For more information please contact Tazneem Wentzel (Eduaction Officer) on education@simonstownmuseum.co.za