SERVING SOCIAL JUSTICE: TRANSFORMATION OF THE BAKONE MALAPA NORTHERN SOTHO OPEN-AIR MUSEUM IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA.

In South Africa's past, museums were often established without considering that one of the intentions of such institutions is to serve local communities. This article considers the position of the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum in the Limpopo Province in post-apartheid South Africa. Research addresses the assessment of how the museum could be transformed and do justice to serve local communities living in the region. To be meaningful with a community, a museum must enable the community to play a part for engagement and education purposes. This paper argues that the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum as a dynamic social institution should thus serve societies equitably. Due to South Africa's oppressive history, this remains an ongoing challenge. Based on archival documents and personal interviews, this paper considers the social justice perspective of the Bakone Malapa Northern Sotho Open-Air Museum and questions whether decisions used to establish the institution remain relevant today for planning its future. Research suggests five possible roles that could redefine museums in line with the demands and approach of social justice: as a mediator, an enabler, an educator, an advocate and as a facilitator. Hopefully, this study's final recommendations may help to bring into being a 'temporary museum' that plays a more pertinent role in respect of the region's cultural, social, and economic issues. The plans of a future museum, ideally should be informed by modern museological discourses on new directions for inclusive and transformative best practices. Globally, such benchmarks are already well-developed for creating sustainable and more inclusive institutions, that first and foremost serve social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]