HUMANITY reimagines the story of human evolution as centred on the diversity of humans today and how we came to be that way. The exhibition is housed at the Iziko South African Museum and opened on 28 September 2023.

“We are hoping to take visitors on a new kind of journey, one that explores our diversity and how we became who we are today. We are bringing together our future and our past for all of us to share in the present” says HUMANITY Curator Dr Wendy Black, who is also a member of HERI.

HUMANITY deliberately de-centres the lone white explorer narrative associated with human evolution, and instead focuses on the rich record of people found in South Africa and Africa. In doing so, it reimagines our origins as a story of intelligence, creativity, and endurance through time.

“Africa has shown itself to be the cradle of humanity with the oldest fossil remains of our distant relatives all found there, and nearly everything we know about early human evolution coming from the African continent,” says HERI Co-director Professor Rebecca Ackermann.

Entering the exhibition is an immersive experience, where walls are shrouded in handcrafted reeds that tower to a star-filled sky. The effect transports visitors from the typical museum space to a place where ancient storytelling – or lessons – seems natural.

Visitors then meet a snapshot of modern humanity through photographs, by renowned artist Pieter Hugo, and interviews with several South Africans, including prominent figures like Cape Town comic, Marc Lottering. By sharing their story of what it means to be human, the stage is set to move back in time to our deep past.

This is captured with awe-inspiring fossils and artefacts from across the continent – including a wall covered in ancient handaxes – that paint a picture of how biology, technology, and culture have played a part in the emergence of us. Capturing this interconnectedness of the past with the present is a one-of-a-kind mural from Cape Town street art pioneer and artist, Mak1One.

“In HUMANITY, human evolution is told as an inclusive story of resilience and adaptability of people against the backdrop of change and challenge through time,” observes Dr Wayne Florence, Research and Exhibitions Director at Iziko Museums.

HUMANITY is the product of a diverse team of co-creators, which included South African and African researchers, academics, community leaders, living human treasures and representatives from different interest groups. The result is a genuine effort to decolonise the exhibit, where ownership of the narrative is truly African.

“Through HUMANITY, Iziko Museums aims to further encourage critical reflections and ownership of humanity’s rich history and heritage and to inspire a new generation of storytellers. The exhibition forms part of a series of projects that Iziko Museums has in preparation for its bicentenary in 2025. We invite members of the public to engage with it and to give the museum their feedback,” says Dr Bongani Ndhlovu, the Acting CEO of Iziko Museums of South Africa.

Exhibition details:

HUMANITY: Open to the public from 28 September 2023

Iziko South African Museum, 25 Queen Victoria Road, Cape Town.
Monday to Sunday from 09:00 until 17:00

About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko)

Iziko operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection specific libraries in Cape Town.  The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse African heritage.  Iziko is a public entity and public benefit organisation that brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure.  The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome).

Visit our website at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums), Instagram (@izikomuseumssa) or follow us on Twitter (@Iziko_Museums) for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.

About HERI
The Human Evolution Research Institute (HERI) at the University of Cape Town (UCT) drives African-led research on human evolution at UCT and across the continent. To learn more on HERI contact heri.uct@gmail.com or visit www.heriuct.co.za.