The SAMA strategic plan highlights that professionalism is a critical matter to be addressed. Unlike other organisations and associations, such as those to which archaeologists or architects are affiliated, museum professionals are not registered and are not required to belong to a professional body. Museum posts are not defined or designated and are therefore not being accepted for SAQA registration. This causes challenges in the museum sector. Some of the challenges are: no standard set of requirements for posts; salaries of museum workers differing vastly from one organisation to another; and, where museums fall under the control of departments or municipalities, employers often do not understand the requirements for posts in the museum sector.
As a result of discussions with members and a workshop held in August 2023 on the issue (click here for video highlights of day one and day two), SAMA Council has formed a Committee to work on this.
