“Are bats like us?” Future Africa artist-in-residence on the launch of Co-MammalHub at Ditsong Museum

Future Africa Artist-in-Residence Dr Nicola Grobler reflects on the launch of Co-MammalHub, a collaboration between the University of Pretoria (UP) and Ditsong Museums of South Africa (DMSA) that reimagines human–wildlife connections, starting with bats.

What is Co-MammalHub?

Co-MammalHub is a collaborative artistic strategy to revitalise the Natural History Museum as a space for dialogue, embodied learning and co-creation. It is a joint research initiative between the University of Pretoria (UP) and Ditsong Museums of South Africa (DMSA).

The research team is led by Dr Nicola Grobler, Artist-in-Residence at Future Africa and senior lecturer in Visual Arts at UP’s School of the Arts, and Dr Annie Antonites, Curator of Large Mammals at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History. They work alongside Professor Mia Abrie from UP’s Faculty of Education, as well as Ms Bongi Legwase and Ms Tebogo Pitso from DMSA’s Public Programmes team.

Starting the conversation

“Are bats blind?” “Do bats eat hair?” These and other common misconceptions were explored at the launch of Co-MammalHub at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History in Pretoria. Held on 2 August to mark the start of National Science Week, the event brought together members of the public, bat experts and conservationists to discuss bat behaviour and human–bat interactions.

“These conversations opened the way for a deeper understanding of bats, their behaviour and their interactions with humans,” said Dr Nicola Grobler. “For many, it was a first introduction to the fascinating diversity of bat species.”

The launch featured the first Co-MammalChat with presentations by:

• Erna and Julio Balona, Gauteng and Northern Regions Bat Interest Group
• Lihle Dumalisile, Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
• Dr Tedson Nkoana, Future Africa at the University of Pretoria

A highlight of the day was Dr Nkoana’s echolocation game, which allowed younger participants to experience how bats navigate using sound.

The event drew around 50 attendees, including members of the South African National Biodiversity Institute’s (SANBI) Zoo Club. Their thoughtful questions and feedback revealed a strong curiosity and highlighted how rare such opportunities are for engaging with these often-misunderstood animals.

From dialogue to displays

Following the BatChat, the Co-MammalHub team hosted three Co-MammalCreate workshops in August. Each session brought together groups of 16 to 21 adults and children who used arts-based methods to design concepts for new museum displays.

“These sessions combined creativity, problem-solving and applied knowledge in a collaborative environment,” Dr Grobler explained. “We were inspired by the energy and imagination of our co-creators.”

The prototypes developed during these workshops are now moving into production. Full-scale displays are scheduled to launch in February 2026.

Collaboration and Education

On 3 September, the research team presented the project at the South African Museums Association National Conference, hosted at the Javett Art Centre at UP. The presentation introduced colleagues from the museum and heritage sector to this innovative approach.

Education plays a central role in the project. Under the guidance of Professor Abrie, students enrolled in the Postgraduate Certificate in Education at UP are developing Co-MammalKits. These supplementary resources will accompany the new displays and extend the project’s reach to schools and communities through Ditsong’s Public Programmes team.

Looking Ahead

Co-MammalHub will expand in 2026 to include rhinos and pangolins, continuing its mission to revitalise natural history museums as spaces for dialogue, co-creation and embodied learning.

For more information on the project, or to participate in the next phases planned for 2026, contact:

Dr Nicola Grobler: nicola.grobler@up.ac.za
Website: comammalhub.com (under development)