Hope for tourism : Makhonjwa Mountains
The declaration of the Makhonjwa Mountains as a World Heritage Site has brought renewed hopes for the upsurge of tourism to this area, currently in dire need of an economic injection.
BARBERTON – Chairman of the local business chamber, Nico Oosthuizen recently said that the future world focus on this newly proclaimed heritage area has the potential to bring great prospects, not only to the greater Barberton area, but also further afield.
Much work and preparation went into the project before this final stage could be reached, said local tourism marketer and former director of Barberton Local Tourism, Astrid Christianson.
The most important was the huge amount of geological research and the development of an accessible geological trail.
Also read: Geologists discuss research in Makhonjwa Mountains
Oosthuizen has for many years been the driving force behind the application to have the area declared a World Heritage Site.
Over many years he took much initiative, with developments including the building of the new Barberton/Bulembu road, as well as the development of the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains Geological Trail.
With the expertise of the renowned local environmentalist, ecologist and park planner, Tony Ferrar and international geologist, Prof Christoph Heubeck of Germany, one of the most diverse geological phenomena on Earth was unearthed and made accessible to the visitor.
The decision to have the area declared a World Heritage Site was taken by the 42nd United Nations Educational‚ Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage committee meeting in Bahrain on Sunday.
There are now 10 world heritage sites in South Africa – the most for an African country, though a first for Mpumalanga.
The 10 World Heritage Sites in South Africa :
- Robben Island (Western Cape)
- Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (Western Cape and Eastern Cape)
- Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (Limpopo)
- Vredefort Dome (Free State and North-West)
- Maloti Drakensberg Park (Transboundary with Lesotho)
- Isimangaliso Wetland Park (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (Gauteng‚ North-West and Limpopo)
- Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape and Khomani Cultural Landscape (Northern Cape).
Sites that are deemed World Heritage Sites are recognised as having global historical or environmental significance‚ may signify a phenomenal achievement of humanity‚ or reveal ancient civilisations. The recognition allows the country to access funds for conservation from the World Heritage Fund and may increase tourism to the area.
Also read: BREAKING NEWS- The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Land confirmed World Heritage Site
To be accepted onto the list‚ a country must meet stringent criteria and show how the site will be conserved. The mountains are thought to be some of the oldest on Earth‚ with volcanic rocks estimated to be between 3,2 and 3,6 billion years old.
The mountains are also believed to contain the oldest signs of life‚ with a microfossil of bacteria discovered that is estimated to be 3,1 billion years old.
On Monday the portfolio committee on tourism in parliament “welcomed” the development.
Chairman of the committee, Lusizo Sharon Makhubele-Mashele said, “The committee is ecstatic, as the Makhonjwa Mountain range in Mpumalanga has met the four criteria set for natural sites. We call on South African Tourism to market all the heritage sites in South Africa, as tourism is one cornerstone of developing the economy and creating jobs for local people.”
