Heritage Cases

On the 13th of May 2021, the HPU attended a workshop that was held by the Limpopo Economic Development Environment and Tourism (LEDET). The aim of the workshop was to discuss the Draft Integrated Management Plan that has been initiated. These are some of the points that were highlighted. • The MVWHS is rich geological history in the region makes it the ideal vantage point to exhibit an impressive geological history and mineral wealth of Southern Africa in the cradle years of our planet. • The MVWHS also has a diversified cultural heritage and a tragic 19th century history; being the site of an epic siege costing the lives of up to 500 people. • The purpose of this IMP is to serve as a guiding and planning document for the proper administration and management of the developed Strategic Integrated Management Plan (SIMP) that functions as a management and decision making tool; • To protect and manage the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the MVWHS. • Academic institutions conducted scientific research on various focus incl. anthropological, archeological, Speleological, stratigraphic and paleomagnetic aspects of the caves from 1925. • Witwatersrand (WITS) is the leading academic institutions in South Africa that have conducted scientific research at the MVWHS. • The MVWHS operates in a matrix management environment. This matrix environment cuts across organizational boundaries and involves staff members required to report to their own site manager. • The management authority (LEDET) has put in place internal management systems to ensure monitoring and reporting on the management effectiveness of the MVWHS on a quarterly and annual basis. On the 14th of May 2021, the delegation undertook a site visit to the Makapans Valley World Heritage Site Located at Mokopane in Limpopo. Upon arrival, the tourist guide of the site took us to the house of Mr. White who used to be the owner of the land. He then donated the land to the government and was used the WHS. The site was reconstructed in 2007 and was used as the WHS offices. Unfortunately, in 2018, the offices were burnt down by the local community members. Only remnants of the structure remain. Most of the files that were stored in the office have been burned. The guide took the team to the explore the amazing caves of the WHS. These are the current challenges faced by the World Heritage Site. • Poaching. • Traditional Medicinal Plant Collection. • Loss of stream flow due to excessive water abstraction from the dolomitic aquifer. • The development of a "plough pan" on the old agricultural lands. •Visitor impacts on the subterranean environment - loss of bat colonies. • Runaway veld fires. • Soil erosion. • Invasive alien species. • Weed growth in excavations. • Theft of firewood on a commercial scale. • Livestock impact through overgrazing and trampling. • Erosion of roads and pathways. • Community conflicts