SA may get 3 new heritage sites

2005-06-28 18:04

Johannesburg - Three new sites in South Africa may become United Nations world heritage sites.

They are the Vredefort Dome in the Free State, the Taung Skull fossil site in North West and the Makapans Valley in Limpopo.

The nominations were unveiled in Johannesburg on Tuesday by Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan at a briefing on the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting to be held in Durban next week.

Jordan said: "The prestige of having world heritage sites in a country raises awareness of heritage and conservation.

"The ultimate goal of having the sites recognised is to enhance the quality of collective existence and preserve them for future generations."

He said each site was chosen because it had something to offer.

The Vredefort Dome was formed by a meteorite hitting the earth — thought to be the biggest meteorite strike yet known — and is regarded as valuable for scientific research.

Taung is where an early Hominid skull was discovered.

SA already boasts six world heritage sites

The Makapans Valley was home to some of the earliest settlements that range in age as far back as three million years.

Jordan said South Africa was already home to six world heritage sites and hopes were high that the new three nominations would be approved by the world heritage committee.

To prevent the sites from being de-listed as world heritage sites, an African World Heritage Fund will be set up to maintain and preserve them.

These sites are Robben Island, the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, the Cradle of Humankind at Sterkfontein near Krugersdorp, uKhahlamba/Drakensberg Park, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape in Limpopo and the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas.

Jordan said: "Robben Island is one such site that was in danger of being de-listed because the WHC inspectors found it was not well preserved."

Contributions to the fund will come from the public and private sector, as well as other governments and international organisations, said Jordan.

Heritage sites have a far-reaching impact

There are more than 788 world heritage sites in 134 countries, with 63 sites in Africa.

Themba Wakashe, this year's chairperson of the WHC, said: "South Africa's six existing sites and the nomination of three others does not bring only prestige to the country, but has an impact on other significant factors like economic development, tourism and sustainable development."

"By clustering the sites, the opportunities for retail and tourism can be enhanced.

"It is hoped the branding will have positive effects on the individual sites as well as on the communities around them."

"Our African Heritage" was chosen as the logo to be used on all heritage sites.

- SAPA