FISA has a permanent display in the Old Library Museum in Graaff-Reinet.
Opened in 2021, the museum room has display boards documenting the time-line of trust company development, including in Graaff-Reinet as the fourth oldest Drostdy (magistrate) in the country. The exhibition also includes items of interest such as old ledgers, cabinets and furniture. Furthermore, there is a mysterious-looking object which is a “time capsule”, filled with items and documents relevant to the fiduciary industry, sealed and to be opened in 2032.
Not many South Africans know that the concept of a trust company originated in South Africa, dating back to 1834. This concept then spread to other countries elsewhere in the world. Dr Eben Nel, National Chairperson of FISA, said: “FISA Council decided that South Africa’s trust heritage deserved to be recorded for posterity as evidence of a profession that has always been focused on serving the public.”
The FISA museum exhibition is currently evolving further and is indeed worth a visit.
For a gallery of photographs click here. For more information on the Old Library Museum, click here.
Donations and bequests
Any donations or bequests of items are gratefully received and will be duly acknowledged.
Please contact Dr Eben Nel, FISA National Chairperson, at eben@fisa.net.za
Suggested wording for such a bequest is:
I bequeath ……….. to the Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa (FISA), to be used in or donated towards the permanent fiduciary exhibition in The Old Library Museum, Graaff-Reinet.
Visiting information
Address
Old Library Museum, Church Street, Graaff-Reinet, Eastern Cape
Opening hours
Mondays – Fridays 08h00 – 17h00. Saturdays 0800 – 12h00.
Sundays and Public Holidays closed
Contact
049 892 4248
Photograph: Seth le Roux