The vision of retired SA Navy (SAN) admiral Arne Söderlund to establish the Submarine Museum SAS Assegaai on the grounds of the SA Naval Museum in Simon’s Town is noted with appreciation in the latest Naval Heritage Trust of SA (NHTSA) annual report.
Trust chairman Michael Bosazza writes: “A good few years ago Arne told us a submarine museum would be a huge success – as all submarine museums have been worldwide. I believed him and visited a number of museums out of interest. I know I am biased, but I honestly think ours is the best by far”.
“Certainly, our guides are much better qualified and more interesting than the Australian, United Kingdom (UK) or United States (US) guides. And all visitors have commented on how much they have enjoyed their experiences – usually because of the excellent guide.”
Following a successful trial opening to coincide with the 2024 year-end holiday season, SAS Assegaai (S99), originally SAS Johanna van der Merwe, the submarine component of the SA Naval Museum was officially “taken into service” – as an exhibit at Cole Point Gate on 30 April last year.
The strongest indicator of the success of Söderlund’s vision comes from the NHTSA chair whose latest annual report notes more than 37 000 paying visitors in just over 12 months. Space limitations in the Daphne Class submersible mean visitor numbers are limited to 10 at any one time and are further pointers to the value add it provides for the SA Naval Museum where Commander Leon Steyn is Curator and Officer in Charge.
Preserving a South African submarine for posterity goes back to late 2003 when the SAS Assegaai was decommissioned, with approval granted by SAN management two years later. She was taken off the SAN disposal list unlike her sister boats – SAS uMkhonto (S98) formerly SAS Emily Hobhouse and SAS Spear (S97) previously SAS Maria van Riebeeck – both disposed of as scrap. Assegaai was docked alongside the outer wall of the Simon’s Town naval harbour as a museum from 2010 to 2015. A visit to the synchro lift showed significant deterioration of the outer hull while the interior was well maintained. A permanent solution – moving the boat to a land-based site – was the answer which eventually saw the 59 metre long, 700 ton Assegai relocated to the Cole Point site in July 2024 where she was mounted on a specially designed and built cradle ahead of final refurbishing and opening for visitors.
SAS Assegaai remains an SAN asset under the SA Naval Museum with management entrusted to the NHTSA.
WHAT: First Year Visitors top the 37 000 mark
WHERE: Submarine Museum SAS Assegaai, King George’s Way, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
WHEN: Open seven days a week from 09h30 – 15h30
INFO: Submarine Museum SAS T 021 787 4787 E This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | VISIT | Reference: Kim Helfrich DefenceWeb | See MapMyWay
