South Africa is a historical treasure, carrying many records of its journey and evolution through time. The country is identified by its diversity in people, cultures, natural sceneries, buildings and landmarks, with each representing something unique about the country.
Several publications list some of South Africa’s heritage sites, some declared as World Heritage Sites, as must-visit destinations for future generations to appreciate their cultural significance and natural beauty.
Robben Island: This one is at the top of the list for many reasons, according to the South African Government website, Robben Island which is the Western Cape, is well-known for having held political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, the first South African president to be elected democratically, who spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars.
Ukhahlamba-Drakensberg Park: Located in KwaZulu-Natal, this park is home to Africa’s tallest mountain range south of Kilimanjaro, an impressive array of natural beauty, and the continent’s greatest and most concentrated series of rock art paintings, states the above source.
Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape: This historic site in Limpopo is regarded as South Africa’s fifth World Heritage Site, according to the First Car Rental website and is said to be a must-see heritage destination. “The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape demonstrates the rise and fall of the first indigenous kingdom in Southern Africa between 900 and 1,300 AD. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century.”
Cradle of Humankind: “The Cradle of Humankind is where the origins of the human race can be traced back to and holds great scientific importance. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999,” claims the above source. This site is located in Gauteng and is said to be home to the famous pre-human skull “Mrs Ples” and an almost complete hominid skeleton “Little Foot”.
Vredefort Dome: The Western Cape Government website mentions that this dome, located 120 km southwest of Johannesburg, is the oldest astrobleme on Earth, dating back 2,023 million years. “Vredefort Dome bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which has devastating global effect including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes. It provides critical evidence of the Earth’s geological history and is crucial to understanding the evolution of the planet.
Also see: Fun ways to celebrate Heritage Day
