Since 2011 more than a third of SA’s 53-million citizens have been living in the Gauteng city region and those of Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

The increasing pervasiveness of the so-called knowledge economy that “depends on access to people and ideas, not to land, natural resources or raw materials” means that cities need to attract skilled people able to participate in that economy, says Blankenberg.

Cities that support such an economy — which nurtures talent, tolerance, technology and tourism — will be better equipped to survive into the future.

Museums can help with this task by contextualising the city and the social milieu in which it exists for its residents.

Museums should work together to stay relevant