**Joburg Firsts Exhibition - Preparation Notes**

**Notes for Learners: Preparing for "Joburg Firsts" Exhibition at Museum Africa** *Event Details:* **Exhibition:** Joburg Firsts **Venue:** Museum Africa, 121 Lillian Ngoyi Street, Newtown, Johannesburg --- **Purpose and Focus:** "Joburg Firsts" celebrates the pioneering moments that shaped Johannesburg. Drawing inspiration from Anna Smith’s 1976 research, the exhibition highlights the city’s earliest milestones in culture, technology, infrastructure, and social life. --- **Questions and Prompts to Encourage Engagement:** 1. **What defines a “first”?** - Think about why certain events, inventions, or achievements are considered significant city “firsts.” 2. **Why do we remember firsts?** - Discuss how these milestones contributed to Johannesburg’s growth and identity. 3. **Whose histories are represented—and whose are missing?** - Consider whose stories the exhibition tells and whether there are overlooked voices. 4. **How do firsts from the past influence the present?** - Reflect on a “first” you learn about—how does it connect to your life today? 5. **What other “firsts” might be important for Joburg’s future?** - Imagine coming city milestones that may be remembered as significant “firsts.” --- **Tasks Learners Can Perform at the Exhibition:** - **Choose One “First” to Research:** Find an exhibit that interests you. Take notes on what made it a “first” and how it changed the city. - **Interview an Exhibition Guide or Another Visitor:** Ask them which Joburg “first” they find most interesting and why. - **Timeline Activity:** Try to place at least three “firsts” in chronological order. Map them on a timeline. - **Comparing Past and Present:** Take a photo or sketch (if allowed!) of an exhibit and compare it to its modern-day equivalent. - **Reflective Journal:** After your visit, write a paragraph about how your understanding of Johannesburg’s history changed. --- **Key Skills Developed:** - *Critical thinking and inquiry* - *Active observation* - *Historical comparison* - *Communication and collaboration* --- **Remember:** Be curious, respectful, and open-minded. Your questions and insights will help make the exhibition more rewarding for everyone!