SA’s two nominations geared for UNESCO World Heritage Listing in India

 

From 21st – 31st July 2024, a high-level delegation from South Africa will be attending the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting organised in the capital of India, New Delhi. This prominent session, which will be attended by state parties to UNESCO, is set to discuss and consider nominations for inscription of identified sites on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The inscription is accorded in terms of paragraph 153 of the operational guideline for the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention.

 

Officials from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, National Heritage Council, Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the Management Authorities will form part of the delegation.

 

South Africa has sponsored two nominations for inscription which are: The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa and The Human Rights Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (EMHB and HRLR: NMLS).

 

As required in terms of paragraph 62 and 63 of the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, these sites are also listed in the UNESCO Tentative List.

 

‘The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour’ nomination includes three South African Middle Stone Age sites which have globally provided significant evidence on understanding of ‘who we are’  today. These sites are Diepkloof Rock Shelter close to Elands Bay (Western Cape), the Pinnacle Point Site Complex in Mossel Bay, (Western Cape) and Sibhudu Cave in KwaDukuza (KwaZulu-Natal). “These three sites display a suite of evidence of the emergence of modern human behaviour dating from as early as 162 000 years, displaying the development of more complex cognitive abilities in our ancestor”, said the Chief Executive Officer of KZN Amafa and Research Institute, Dr Dlamuka.

 

“These sites are not only archaeological treasures but also symbols of our resilience, creativity, and capacity for innovation. They remind us of the importance of preserving our cultural and natural heritage for future generations”, added the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Mr. Ricardo Mackenzie.

 

 

Nominated HRLR: NMLS sites are part of one serial property with 10 components from the four provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and Eastern Cape. The sites include the following: Union Buildings, Sharpeville Massacre Site: Police Station, Sharpeville Memorial Garden, Sharpeville Grave Site, Liliesleaf, 16 June 1976 – The Streets of Orlando West, Constitution Hill and Walter Sisulu Square (Gauteng);  Ohlange (KwaZulu-Natal); Waaihoek Wesleyan Church (Free State), and The Great Place at Mqhekezweni and the University of Fort Hare (Eastern Cape).

 

“The components combined encapsulates the legacy of the South African Liberation in the 20th Century and the three tenets namely; Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation which are bound together and overlap in the pursuit of peace and justice in South Africa” said Dr Thabo Manetsi, Chief Executive Officer at the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC).

 

The two nominations have undergone years of stakeholder engagement; quality assurance and international evaluation at site level, country level, regionally and internationally, with Management Systems in place as well as Conservation Management Plans and legislative tools to ensure their sustainability post inscription.

 

“South Africa currently has 10 sites declared as world heritage sites and should this nomination succeed, we will have an additional 11th World Heritage Site. Africa is underrepresented in the World Heritage Listing with 8% number of sites declared as World Heritage Sites. The Inscription of these two nominations will be a very proud moment for South Africa and the Continent at large,” added Dr Manetsi.

 

All the proposed sites currently enjoy a formal protection in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, Act 25 of 1999. By elevating their status to World Heritage Listing, the Outstanding Universal Value of these sites and therefore their exceptional significance will be officially recognised under the World Heritage Convention Act, Act No. 49 of 1999.

 

“The inscription of these sites will boost South Africa’s tourism; drive socio economic and sustainable development and contribute to job creation. They become protected as heritage of all humanity not just for South Africa as they present the values and ideas of importance to all humans globally,” added Dr  Manetsi.

 

For Media interviews on HRLR:NMLS, please email: Ms. Tebogo Shilakwe: 084 597 8881; Email: t.shilakwe@nhc.org.za and for EMHB -Dr M. Galimberti: 072 533 1644; Email: mariagrazia.galimberti@amafainstitute.org.za.