On April 30, the South African Navy and the Naval Heritage Trust celebrated the official opening of the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum in Simon’s Town, South Africa.
This event ushered in a new era for the preservation of Africa’s maritime legacy, establishing the continent’s first museum of its kind dedicated to submarine history. The ceremony drew a distinguished crowd, including Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the South African Navy, and Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor of Cape Town, as well as current and retired submariners, volunteers from the Naval Heritage Trust, and key donors whose support made this achievement possible.
The path to this day stretches back decades, rooted in the storied past of the SAS Assegaai itself. Originally commissioned as SAS Johanna van der Merwe, this vessel is the last survivor of three French-built Daphne-class submarines that served the South African Navy from the 1970s through the 1990s. These submarines played a vital role in the nation’s naval operations, embodying the skill and courage of their crews. When the Assegaai was decommissioned in late 2003, the idea to preserve it took hold. By 2005, the Navy had spared it from the fate of its sister vessels, which were sold and dismantled, securing its future as a historical artifact.
For a time, from 2010 to 2015, the Assegaai operated as a museum, moored along the outer wall of Simon’s Town harbor. Visitors could step aboard and explore the cramped quarters and intricate machinery of a submarine, gaining a rare perspective on naval life. But by 2015, the vessel’s outer hull had deteriorated to a point that demanded action. It was lifted from the water and placed on the synchro lift within the harbor, its interior still intact but no longer accessible to the public. This closure marked the beginning of a search for a lasting solution—one that would keep the submarine safe from further decay while allowing it to remain a window into South Africa’s naval past.
That solution came to fruition in July 2024, when the Assegaai was relocated to its permanent home. Moving a 58-meter, nearly 700-tonne submarine overland was a formidable task, requiring careful coordination and substantial resources. The City of Cape Town, alongside companies like Damen and Vanguard Heavylift, stepped in with financial and logistical support, ensuring the operation’s success. The submarine now rests at the western end of the Cole Point parking area, next to the new NSRI Station 10 building, transformed into a museum ready to welcome the public.
A trial opening on December 16, 2024, offered an early look at what the museum had in store. Visitors wandered through the Assegaai, immersing themselves in the history it holds, from the Cold War-era technology to the stories of the submariners who once called it home. The enthusiasm of that day set the stage for the official opening four months later, a moment that crystallized years of effort into a lasting legacy.
The April 30 ceremony was a tribute to both the submarine and the people who fought to preserve it. Vice Admiral Lobese took the stage with a speech that captured the weight of the occasion. He spoke of submarines as more than machines, describing them as vessels of history that have shaped naval warfare for over a century. “They have plunged to the bottom of our oceans, serving as the stealthy guidance and tools of diplomats,” he said. “The instant the first submarine was commissioned, the character of naval warfare changed, altering the strategies and outcomes of wars throughout the globe.”
Lobese went on to honor the submariners whose bravery animated these vessels. “Each submarine has a history, a history of heroism, determination, and ingenuity,” he noted. “These vessels have seen the unseen, navigated the blackest depths, and all too often stood at the last line of defense in times of terror.” Turning his attention to the museum, he praised the Naval Heritage Trust for their dedication. “Standing here today and looking at the results, this is a symbol of pride and honor to the brave men and women who served on board this submarine,” he said.
Beyond preservation, Lobese saw the museum as a bridge to the future. He expressed a hope that it would spark interest among young South Africans, encouraging them to explore careers in the submarine service—a field that has seen dwindling numbers and remains little understood by the public. “As we walk on board and through the exhibits today, let us remember what we can learn from our naval history,” he urged. “The tales of bravery, sacrifice, and originality remind us of what we have overcome and why we must remember those who came before us.”
He also pointed to the educational power of the Assegaai, calling it a showcase of technological innovation. “No other single exhibit contains a greater variety of practical applications of technologies than submarines,” he explained. “These range from basic mechanical and electrical systems to hydrodynamics, optics, sonar, and many others.” For Lobese, the museum is a place where curiosity can flourish, inviting visitors to marvel at the engineering feats that made underwater exploration possible.
Michael Bosazza, Chairman of the Naval Heritage Trust, offered a broader perspective on the organization’s mission. Founded in 1994, the Trust emerged partly from the disappointment of losing the SAS Pietermaritzburg, a minesweeper that had led mine-clearing efforts during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II. After its decommissioning from the South African Navy in 1964, it served as accommodation for the Mine Countermeasures squadron before being scuttled in 1994 to create an artificial reef. “The SAS Pietermaritzburg may have been lost,” Bosazza told the crowd, “but now we stand beside a remarkable artifact of South Africa’s naval past and its special achievement.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis spoke warmly of the bond between Cape Town and the Navy, a relationship that has deepened over generations. “I know how much young people and Capetonians, in general, passionately love the South African Navy,” he said, “and how much they are going to love this attraction and coming to see what life is like on a submarine under the water.” The City’s financial backing for the relocation effort reflected this affection, a commitment Hill-Lewis vowed to sustain. “There is such a deep and close-heart relationship between the people of Cape Town, the City of Cape Town, and the South African Navy,” he added. “And that’s something that we wish to foster and perpetuate for many, many more years to come.”
The SAS Assegaai remains under the ownership of the South African Navy as part of the SA Naval Museum, with the Naval Heritage Trust tasked with its management. It stands now as a fully operational museum, open daily from 09:30 to 15:30 at Cole Point Gate, Simon’s Town Main Road (1067 King George’s Way). In his closing words, Vice Admiral Lobese framed the museum as both a tribute and a call to action. “Let this submarine museum be an icon of learning and remembrance,” he declared.
“May it inspire our next generation to venture into the depth of knowledge, to honor the sacrifices of our heroes, and to pursue the spirit of innovation that has propelled us forward.” With these words, the SAS Assegaai Submarine Museum opened its doors, ready to share South Africa’s naval heritage with the world.
