Timeline
Milestones in our journey
December 1998
MTN provides funding for a feasibility study.
June 1999
MTN provides start-up funding for a science centre in Cape Town. The Interactive Science Foundation (ISF), a Section 21 Non-Profit Company, is registered (99/131/0008) and the Science Centre continues to trade to this date under the auspices of this foundation. The ISF has a Board of Directors that meets quarterly and oversees the strategic development of the Science Centre. The ISF is audited annually.
November 2000
The MTN Sciencentre opens in Canal Walk shopping centre, under the leadership of its founding director, Professor Mike Bruton.
Its mission: To make a hands-on contribution to South Africa's future by strengthening its science and technology culture through interactive methods of teaching; to excite the youth and general public about science and offer educational services to learners and educators across South Africa.
March 2004
The ISF is registered as a Non-Profit Company (031-701-NPO)
November 2006
Prof. Mike Bruton retires and Julie Cleverdon is appointed Acting Director then Director.
January 2007
The WCED Mobile Sciencentre is launched, funded by the Western Cape Education Department and operated by the Science Centre. This van travels to all regions of the Western Cape and sometimes beyond its borders to visit schools and attend science festivals.
June 2007
The MTN Sciencentre wins the bid to host the 6th Science Centre World Congress in Cape Town in September 2011. This announcement was made in Lisbon, Portugal at the annual European network of science centres conference.
September 2008
The Scientific Advisory Committee is established, which currently consists of 18 respected South African scientists and academics who guide and advise on the scientific content of the Science Centre and its programmes.
2009
The ISF receives Public Benefit Organisation status (PBO: 18/11/13/2663) in terms of Section 18A under the South African Income Revenue act. Donations to the ISF are now tax-deductible.
September 2010
Last month of operation of the Science Centre in its Canal Walk venue. The MTN Sciencentre closes in its Canal Walk venue to relocate and renew itself as the Cape Town Science Centre.
October 2010 - December 2011
The Science Centre has two temporary bases during this period: For the first 6-months the Science Centre was based at the South African National Antarctica Programme (SANAP) offices on the Foreshore, thanks to the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Science Centre then moved to the Premier Building in Main Road Observatory, a short walk to the new building, in preparation for the refurbishment process of the building.
Actions during this period included:
- Outreach activities across the Western Cape, in the Northern Cape and Namibia with 95 schools (18 290 learners) being reached and at least 13 220 members of the public.
- Fundraising for both the refurbishment of the building as well as operational funding to secure the future of the centre.
- Securing a lease agreement and the start of the refurbishment process of the new building
July - August 2011
A Project Manager is appointed and refurbishment of the building begins.
September 2011
The Cape Town Science Centre is the host of the 6th Science Centre World Congress and Pre-Development Workshop for African nations, which took place at the CTICC.
September 2011
The Science Centre discovers the architectural significance of its new home for the first time during an architectural tour of buildings designed by Modernist architect Max Policansky. 'Stop Works' order is issued by Heritage Western Cape.
October 2011
The 'Stop Works' order is lifted and refurbishment continues. Unfortunately this delay impacted on the readiness of the building for the planned December opening and it has had significant financial implications for the centre.
December 2011
The Cape Town Science Centre will open its doors, with phase one of the planned renovations almost complete, and we invite visitors to join us as we grow the Science Centre in its new venue.