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The Eastern Cape town of Graaff-Reinet will be adding another exibition to its long list of cultural attractions, this time celebrating the rich history of trust companies in the country.
An unknown fact is that the concept originated in South Africa with the oldest trust company in the world, established in 1832, still operating in Graaff-Reinet.
The concept of trust companies then spread to the rest of the world.
The Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA), decided on the Central Karoo town, due to its historical connection to the trust company movement.
The Chairperson of FISA Dr Eben Nel says Graaff-Reinet has proved itself as a responsible guardian of history, making it the ideal town to become the custodian of the colourful heritage of the trust company movement and the development of the fiduciary profession.
Time capsule
The Old Library Museum will have a room with a permanent exhibition to celebrate and preserves the rich history of trust companies in SA.
The "star attraction" will be a time capsule that was filled in the year 2000, with items and documents relevant to the industry.
The capsule will only be opened 11-years from now in 2032 when it will also be the centenary celebration of FISA.
The very first "capsule" was filled with documents in 1982, which was opened in 2000, before a new capsule was created.
The museum room will also have display boards documenting the time-line of trust company development, including Graaff-Reinet, home to the fourth oldest Drostdy in the country.
FISA, which is a non-profit organisation representing fiduciary practitioners, says the exhibition became a reality due to the enthusiastic support of the museum curator, Mrs Anziske Kayster, and the chairperson of the museum board of trustees, Mr Peter Whitlock.
The exhibition will open this weekend.
