The World Heritage committee has inscribed South Africa’s Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites in the World Heritage Listing. This is a part of the SA’s Liberation Heritage Route Programme (RLHR) as coordinated by the National Heritage Council of South Africa (NHC), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). The inscription was made at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi, India on 27 July 2024 acknowledging the sites’ Outstanding Universal Values.
NHC was appointed by DSAC to be the implementing agent of the RLHR and is a proponent of the Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (HRLR: NMLS) nomination.
The HRLR:NMLS nomination includes 14 components across four provinces; Gauteng, Free State, Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal. 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), The Great Place at Mqhekezweni and the University of Fort Hare (Eastern Cape).
Liliesleaf (The Heritage Portal)
These components combined encapsulate 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.
“The Council is thankful to the many communities and stakeholders that have worked with the drafting team for their patience and tenacity. This is a culmination of over 12 years of work!” said Dr Thabo Manetsi, Acting CEO of the NHC.
The NHC further appreciates the work of many peer reviewers, oversight bodies, the Ministry of Sport, Arts & Culture who chairs the Interministerial Committee on Resistance and Liberation. NHC acknowledges the sterling role of the SA world focal point.
“This new inscription is strategically important for international cooperation, tourism, for the memory of the martyrs of the liberation struggle and sustainable development. It further opens a brand new chapter and new obligations. It’s the beginning of an eternal obligation to safeguard these sites, ensure a good state of conservation, implement sound management, account for the state of conservation and visitor management” added Dr Manetsi.
With the serial inscription of “The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour” including three South African Middle Stone Age sites, namely Sibhudu Cave in oThongathi, near KwaDukuza, in KwaZulu-Natal, Diepkloof Rock Shelter close to Elands Bay and the Pinnacle Point Site Complex in Mossel Bay, in the Western Cape together with the The Human Rights Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites (HRLR:NMLS) nomination, South Africa now boasts a total of 12 UNESCO declared World Heritage Sites.
For Media interviews on HRLR:NMLS, please email: Ms. Tebogo Shilakwe: 084 597 8881; Email: t.shilakwe@nhc.org.za.
Issued by the National Heritage Council of South Africa
For media enquiries: Tebogo Shilakwe (Acting Head: Communication, Marketing & Stakeholder Engagement) at 084 597 8881, t.shilakwe@nhc.org.za.
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