What a privilege to attend this ceremony, from arrival being greeted by the Steelband Project, the Executive Mayor of the Cederberg relating so warmly to a group of children, an unexpected visitor on a bicycle...
The event was attended by representatives from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, the National Heritage Council, South African Heritage Resources Agency, Cederberg Municipality and the West Coast Museum Forum (including the Elands Bay Museum), with talks warmly supporting the project and its benefits for the local community.
Most important of all, of course, is the reason for the declaration, that of such a significant step in the evolution of modern man, and as Prof John Parkington stressed, the role of women in this development. He has been involved with the archaeological site since 1973 and this is a just reward for such extended research by him and his associates.
We were then entertained by a troupe of enthusiastic Riel dancers.
Finally Michael Janse van Rensburg summed up all the involvement that had led to the declaration as a World Heritage Site.
The day concluded with a visit to the caves with further explanation by Prof Parkington.
It is now to be seen how the site can be further preserved while simultaneously being accessible to the expected visitors.
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