Three new World Heritage Sites for South Africa

Bongani Bingwa is joined by Thabo Manetsi, Acting CEO of the National Heritage Council of South Africa.

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Joining the likes of The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape and Robben Island, South Africa can celebrate the inclusion of two new areas on the Unesco World Heritage Sites list.

World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection considered by Unesco as having cultural, historical, or scientific significance.

The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity".

Manetsi says South Africa's rich and difficult history means the country has much to offer the world.

"We are now excited that the world, the global stage is recognising these unique offerings."

Thabo Manetsi, Acting CEO - National Heritage Council of South Africa

"For the past ten years, we had to look at the ways in which we could consolidate our liberation heritage...and we had put this compelling nomination across."

Thabo Manetsi, Acting CEO - National Heritage Council of South Africa

The two new sites are The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa, located in the Western Cape Province and KwaZulu-Natal and The Human Rights, Liberation and Reconciliation: Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites.

The latter property, made up of 14 components across four provinces, represents the legacy of the South African struggle for human rights, liberation and reconciliation.

The addition of these two new sites, brings the total number of South Africa's World Heritage sites to 12.

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