Robben Island Museum (RIM) says it is unable to sustain its annual bursary fund for the 2021 academic year.
Chief financial officer Blayne Crocker said Covid-19 and the related economic onslaught has placed the museum in an unprecedented financial situation, where its most pressing challenge is its short-term sustainability.
RIM saw a significant decrease in visitor numbers during the 2020/21 holiday season, in excess of 90%.
The museum has a long history of funding students in the field of Museums and Heritage studies, Social Science and History.
Former political prisoners described Robben Island as the “University of Life” for it is here where strategies for a future society based on tolerance, respect and non-racialism were nurtured. Emphasis was placed on education, robust debate and lifelong learning as vital tools in the fight for justice.
Senior marketing manager at RIM, Siphuxolo Mazwi, said: “We believe that RIM will survive the economic impact of this pandemic that has wreaked havoc in the tourism sector, destroying both lives and livelihoods. We continue to explore ways to attract visitors, particularly domestic travellers and we look forward to being in a position to fund education in South Africa for the next academic year.”
