IZIKO South African Museum Bi-centenaryText by Dineo Poo Technical Information Stamp issue date: 12 November 2025 Marking its 200th anniversary, the Iziko South African Museum, founded in 1825, is the oldest museum in Southern Africa. Now part of Iziko Museums of South Africa, formed in 1999 from five Cape Town Museum clusters, it’s one of 11 national institutions preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the nation, offering South Africans a place to explore history, science, and art. To observe this milestone, the South African Post Office has released a special set of stamps at the Small Registered Letter rate, along with two Commemorative Display Cards. These showcase scientifically and culturally significant items from the collection of the museum, reflecting its core roles in documenting, archiving, researching, and educating to support knowledge, conservation, and public understanding. Skull of the Extinct African Bear Agriotherium africanum: The skull of the extinct bear Agriotherium africanum, discovered at Langebaanweg in the Cape Province, is featured on one of the stamps. This fossil, dating back 4–5 million years, is remarkable as bears were previously unknown in sub-Saharan Africa. The related collection includes skull fragments, teeth, and other bones from one of the largest terrestrial carnivores of the Cenozoic era in Southern Africa. They reveal distinctive features such as a broad muzzle, powerful jaw muscles, and differences between males and females. These fossils help scientists trace the evolutionary history of Agriotherium, showing its connections to ancient bears from Eurasia and North America, and offering a glimpse into a vanished chapter of African wildlife. Reconstruction – Syncerus antiquus: The spectacular horns of Syncerus antiquus, a giant prehistoric buffalo, are also showcased in this commemorative set of stamps. This extinct species once roamed Africa thousands of years ago, boasting horns that could stretch more than two metres from tip to tip. These fossil horns, preserved in the palaeontology collection of the museum, provide important clues about ancient landscapes in Southern Africa and the evolution of large grazing animals. As the museum marks 200 years of collecting, the horns highlight the role of the collection in uncovering the ancient natural history of South Africa and preserving fossil heritage for future generations. The Kouga Meteorite: Another stamp in this commemorative set features a fascinating meteorite from the collections of the museum. This meteorite is a solid piece of rock from space, possibly from an asteroid or comet, that survived its journey through the atmosphere to land on Earth. The museum also has a display called Our Place in the Universe, which includes a “cosmic zoom” that takes visitors on a journey through space, showing the universe on a vast scale, almost back to its beginning. Made accessible to the public in the immersive Iziko Planetarium complex, this meteorite reminds us of our connection to the cosmos and the wonders of space science. The Mbashe River Buff – Deloneura immaculata Trimen: The Mbashe River Buff (Deloneura immaculata) is a rare butterfly first recorded near the Mbashe River in the Eastern Cape, in December 1863 by Colonel James Henry Bowker, and described in 1868 by Roland Trimen. Only three specimens have ever been found: a male and female housed at the Iziko South African Museum in Cape Town, and another male preserved at the Natural History Museum in London. Listed as extinct after exhaustive searches failed to find it again, hope for rediscovery remains despite its remote habitat and superb camouflage. Museum collections document species before they vanish, aiding biodiversity conservation. Mont-Aux-Sources by Moses Tladi (1903–1959): In 1931, Moses Tladi (1903–1959) became the first black artist to exhibit at the Iziko South African National Gallery, after the opening of its new building. Born in Sekhukhuneland and educated at Lobethal Mission, Tladi worked as a herder before moving to Johannesburg as a gardener. His artistic talent was promoted through public exhibitions by his employer, Herbert Read. He painted extensively and was highly regarded until serving in South Africa’s armed forces during World War II. His later life was affected by apartheid, including forced relocation from Johannesburg to Soweto in 1956. One of his rare works, Mountain Landscape (Mont-aux-Sources), captures his gentle, golden-lit style and majestic mountains, celebrating his legacy and recognition through the reclaiming of neglected histories by Iziko Museums. The Linton Panel – Eastern Cape: The Linton Panel, a renowned piece of rock art from the museum’s archaeological collection also features. From the Eastern Cape, it depicts scenes that offer insight into the spiritual and cultural life of early San communities. As one of South Africa’s most important examples of rock art the Linton Panel helps reveal how hunter-gatherer society may have seen and understood the world around them. This stamp honours role of the museum in protecting and sharing the rich heritage of South Africa with the public and future generations, while also raising awareness of the complex and sometimes difficult history between the museum and the communities connected to these cultural treasures. Iziko South African Museum building: The front of commemorative display card 8.004 features the iconic Iziko South African Museum building, a landmark at the top of the historic Company’s Gardens and at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. Founded in 1825, the museum was first housed in modest premises, but as its collections expanded, it occupied several buildings in the city. This reflected the breadth of its early mission, which included collecting Natural, Cultural, and Art Heritage objects to represent the richness of South Africa and beyond. From the towering Whale Well to ancient Rock Art and the Planetarium, inside the museum brims with worlds of wonder. Today, its colonial architecture stands as a reminder of evolving practices, now promoting inclusivity, shared heritage, and community. The Whale Well: The front of commemorative display card 8.005 features the iconic Whale Well, a much-loved exhibit that has long showcased the leadership of Iziko South African Museum in natural sciences. Over the past two centuries, the museum has chronicled South Africa’s journey from a whaling past to marine conservation, with the impressive whale skeletons showcased in the Whale Well, exquisite taxidermy, and lifelike casts of whales and dolphins, anchored by a magnificent juvenile blue whale that captivates visitors. Once collected for display, these specimens now underpin foundational research that protects apex marine species, sustaining ocean ecosystems and our food security. A legacy of science, artistry, and stewardship. Through these stamps and exhibits, the Iziko South African Museum commemorates 200 years of discovery and continues to inspire curiosity, learning, and preservation of the natural and cultural heritage of South Africa for generations to come.
Reference: Iziko South African Museums |
