Incubator company head makes contribution to South African heritage

Pictured above is Mthembeni Mkhize, CEO of TCI Thoreb, who has been appointed as the lead exhibition designer for Freedom Park.

Mthembeni Mkhize, CEO of TCI Thoreb, has been appointed as the lead exhibition designer of Freedom Park - a Presidential Legacy Project and heritage precinct that will portray South Africa's history and its vision for the future as embedded in the African Renaissance. TCI Thoreb is a tenant in the Maxum Business Incubator at The Innovation Hub.

Freedom Park consists of a memorial, an interactive museum and the garden of remembrance. Construction on the Freedom Park project commenced in 2003 and is expected to be complete by 2010.

Mkhize brings extensive experience and a solid background in design, engineering and architecture to the project. In his role as lead exhibition designer, he will lead a team in designing the interior elements of the museum to celebrate and commemorate the rich tapestry of South Africa's heritage.

"The idea is to create a storytelling platform within a museum environment", says Mkhize. The concept of indigenous knowledge systems is a strong theme that will run through the museum, with a focus on presenting the cultural structures and events from the perspective of South Africa's own people.

Mkhize aims to create a collection of temporary and permanent exhibitions, using innovative materials and design concepts that tells one coherent story of the struggle of humanity for freedom - a struggle that still continues. "The challenge will be to constantly develop new ways of packaging freedom for the future and to strive to address gaps, distortions and biases to provide new perspectives on the country's heritage", says Mkhize.

He will assemble a team to handle all elements of creating the exhibitions and will ensure that these remain dynamic and adaptable to the changing times. Currently he is engaging with a team of researchers to provide him with a content brief for temporary exhibition for the launch of the Freedom Park memorial (Sikhumbuto) on the Day of Reconciliation (16 December) this year.

For more information on TCI Thoreb or the Freedom Park concept, contact Mthembeni Mkhize on +27 12 844 0159.

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