UNITED States ambassador to Zimbabwe Pamela Tremont says cloud-based database will enable the National Museum and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) to share and manage collections with the world.
The project, which was supported financially by the United States Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and implemented through a collaboration among the embassy, NMMZ and the Harare Institute of Technology, has an added advantage of unlimited accessibility, scalability, speed and agility at a low sustainable cost including the privilege of an online access.
“This collection management system will allow Zimbabweans and the global community to access, research and better understand the museum’s significant and unique cultural artefacts.
In 2020, AFCP awarded US$75 000 to NMMZ for Museum of Human Sciences to develop a web-based database to document and safeguard thousands of important cultural items in its collection. The transition from a manual catalogue to a digital format documentation system will reduce the risk of theft, improve access to the collection and spur greater interaction between the museum, public, scholars and students.
Tremont said another positive outcome of the project was the partnership between the Museum of Human Sciences, the Harare Institute of Technology and Fowler Museum at the University of California, Los Angels, which used the strengths of each institution to develop the database.
“The Fowler Museum shared its expertise on what elements are important to include in a database to meet international standards. The Harare Institute of Technology developed the database with the Museum of Human Sciences to meet the specifications, be easy to use, and be stored in the cloud. We hope the productive collaboration continues,” she said.
Gwinyai Ndiringeyi, information and technology officer at the NMMZ took the dignitaries through the functionality of the US AFCP cloud database. The dignitaries were also taken to the archaeological section of the museum where they saw moulds, ignots, figurines, copper bangles and a lot more.
Lovemore Mandima acting deputy executive director NMMZ at the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences in Harare discribed the gift as a milestone in their continued efforts to make the museum a trusted repository that matches global standards.
NMMZ board chairperson Munyaradzi Manyanga said the web-based collection management system at the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences would help to dovetail with the responsibility of the Board of Trustees for NMMZ, to protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Zimbabwe for the benefit of present and future generations.
“This is not a mere, routine task but a responsibility steeped in purpose-driven recognition that our heritage is a cornerstone of our national identity and economic development. Each artefact or collection, each monument and each story we have is a thread in the tapestry of who we are as a people, together in our inclusive diversity,” Manyanga said.
“We pride ourselves in this heritage, not merely because it reflects the richness of our past, but because it carries the promise of a secure and vibrant future. From the architectural marvel of Great Zimbabwe to the intricate craftsmanship exhibited by many of our collections including those that have been documented under the AFCP project, tell intricately woven stories of innovation, resilience, adaptation, celebration, unity, and untold stories.”
Geremenzia Chirimhanzu, who was representing the Harare Institute of Technology, said they took pride as an institution of higher learning to be associated with the establishment of such a vital web-based application to be used by museums and the public at large.
“The commissioning of this project will definitely set another pace for future ideas and innovations as we work as team Zimbabwe. We look forward to continue working with NMMZ and the society in designing, developing and providing solutions to enhance the socio-economic progress of various sectors of the economy,” she said.