Assistant Museum Scientist

Amy Goitsemodimo MA amy@nationalmuseum.co.za

Gosiame “Amy” Goitsemodimo matriculated in 2003 and enrolled for a BA degree in Geography and Environmental Management at the University of the Free State, which she completed in 2006. Her majors were Environmental Management and Anthropology. She completed her Honours in Anthropology the following year. She worked as a Tutor in the Anthropology Department at the University of the Free State for three years and then joined the National Museum in 2008 as a Research Assistant in the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology. In 2009 she was offered a permanent position as Assistant Museum Scientist. Amy is currently doing her Masters in Anthropology under the supervision of Dr Petro Esterhuyse. She is also a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society and Anthropology Southern Africa Students Association.

The Collections Management Department (Humanities) comprises the collections from the Anthropology and History Departments.

Anthropology collection

The Anthropology Collection is relatively small, about 5000 objects, but is quite varied. The Collection incorporates objects from different parts of the world , for example Egypt and Australia.  The main focus is on southern African material, although most of the African continent is represented in some way in the collection.

The acceptance of material on loan implies that the following conditions have been accepted:

• The National Museum retains the right to shorten the loan period or to retrieve the loaned material.
• Loaned objects must be insured against damage, loss and deterioration. The institution accepting the loan is responsible for the insurance costs whilst the objects are in their possession. This includes transport from and to the National Museum.
• Without the express written permission of the National Museum no material may be altered in any way, dissected, repaired, restored, cleaned or be treated.
• The National Museum must be credited in any exhibition in which the borrowed material is used.
• Under no circumstances can labels and other foreign objects be attached to objects to adjust or exhibit the objects. Foreign material includes pins, screws, nails, magic or mirror tape etc.
• Objects must be protected against natural light, reflected light, Ultra-violet light, Infra red light, humidity, insects and other pests. Ultra violet sleeves must be in use over fluorescent tubes.
• The National Museum should be informed of any changes relating to the responsible person(s) or management of the loan institution (within a month).
• All labels and numbers given to material must be retained and under no circumstances should any of these be discarded or altered.
• Photos may not be removed from their frames or mountings and the National Museum must be credited for the use of such photographs in publications.
• The National Museum must be credited in any publication in which the borrowed material is used. At least two copies of such publications must be sent to the National Museum.
• When borrowed material is returned it must be packed in precisely the same way as it was received by using the same packaging materials.
• Written permission to lengthen the loan period must be done fourteen days (14) before the expiring date of the loan.
• All objects, excluding glass and ceramics, must be handled with white cotton gloves.
• The loan material must be handled with the utmost care and respect.