NORTHERN FLAGSHIP INSTITUTION
BRIEF PROFILE OF THE NORTHERN FLAGSHIP INSTITUTION
The Northern Flagship Institution (NFI) is a national museums institution established in 1999 under the Cultural Institutions Act no 29 of 1998. It is a public entity under the Department of Arts & Culture The NFI is an amalgamation of three museums - National Cultural History Museum and the Transvaal Museum (natural history) in Tshwane (Pretoria) and the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg. In addition to these museums there are five other site museums - Kruger House Museum, Pioneer Museum, Sammy Marks Museum, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and Willem Prinsloo Agricultural Museum (all located in Pretoria).
The NFI corporate identity and that of some of the museums is in the process of being changed. It is hoped that the new identity would be launched in October 2005.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT
The institution is governed by a Council of Trustees. It serves three years and meets quarterly. It has the fiduciary responsibility over the finances of the institution.
This council is accountable to the Minister of Arts & Culture who appoints three.
The Council appoints the Chief Executive who is an accounting officer responsible for day today running of the institution.
The CEO appoints the Chief Financial Officer and the rest of the staff.
Directors of the three museums constitute the Top Management Committee (TMC), chaired by the CEO. They meet fortnightly
There is a bigger forum which includes managers of site museums and line managers, it is called Management Committee (ManCo), also chaired by the CEO
The CEO participates at Council meetings and the directors of the three museums attend as observers.
LEGISLATIVE MANDATE
The legislative mandate of the NFI as defined in the Cultural Institutions Act no 29 of 1998 is as follows:
- Collection, conservation and sate management of national heritage collections on behalf of the South African nation.
- Carry out research on conservation and publish such information for the cultural, social and economic use locally and internationally.
- Design, implement and manage exhibitions and public programmes with a view to supporting national educational curriculum, economic development and other economic objectives of the Government
- Render Heritage based service to other museums (national, provincial, local and private) as well as to individuals and tertiary institutions
There are several other pieces of legislation that govern management of the institution, the key ones being the:
- Public Finance Management Act
- Labour Relations Act
- Basic conditions of Employment Act
- Preferential Procurement Act
- Supply Chain Management Act
- Employment Equity Act
Vision
To be a world-class institution of African museums and sites of excellence. which inspires people to respect and appreciate South Africa's unique heritage.
MISSION
To ensure transformation and sustainable management of the national heritage assets in its custody through conservation, research and public programmes for the benefit of present and future generations.