The Metropolitan Museum opens in Cape Town – an investment in legacy

Metropolitan Life marked a historic moment on Thursday, 21 August, with the official opening of the Metropolitan Museum, a dedicated space that honours over 127 years of resilience, progression and innovation. The museum was jointly opened by Momentum Group CEO, Jeanette Marais, and Metropolitan CEO, Peter Tshiguvho, at the company’s Cape Town headquarters.

More than a ceremonial launch, the Metropolitan Museum stands as a powerful investment in legacy - a tribute to the people and communities who shaped one of South Africa’s most enduring financial services brands. It represents not just the evolution of a company, but the preservation of collective stories that have defined generations.

“The Metropolitan Museum is about people and legacy,” said Peter Tshiguvho during a  fireside chat with past Metropolitan CEO, Peter Doyle. “It is a tribute to those who came before us - those whose courage and determination built the foundation we now stand on.”

Founded in 1897, Metropolitan has long been recognised for its pioneering spirit and progressive values. At a time when many institutions excluded the majority, Metropolitan made a bold and historic choice to serve black communities, offering them access to financial security and dignity when others did not. This commitment to inclusion and equity was echoed in recruiting black advisers and managers during Apartheid.

 “Metropolitan has never been just a business,” said Peter Tshiguvho. “It has also been about Ubuntu – I am because we are – culminating in the belief that ‘Together We Can’. The museum reflects this ethos and is a celebration of progress born from partnership, empathy and a commitment to doing what’s right.”

The launch of the museum also reinforces the company’s intergenerational promise to South Africans: to remember where we come from, to honour those who paved the way, and to continue building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Metropolitan remains a progressive brand, constantly evolving but always guided by its dedication to the community and the power of the collective. The museum exemplifies this forward-thinking spirit while anchoring it in a rich and often under-told history.

“This museum is not about nostalgia,” Tshiguvho added. “It’s about truth-telling. It’s about acknowledging our roots. And it’s about inspiring future generations to know that they, too, can shape history.”

The Metropolitan Museum showcases more than a century of storytelling through visuals, artifacts, personal accounts, and key moments that demonstrate the power of unity, courage and purpose.

In opening the museum, Metropolitan reaffirms its role as not just a financial institution, but a custodian of legacy, a champion of transformation and a proud contributor to the South African story.