Heritage Sites (Grade 10 NSC Matric Tourism): Revision Notes
Heritage Sites
What is a heritage site?
A heritage site is a special place that receives protection because it holds significant importance for our heritage. These sites help us understand our past, celebrate our culture, and preserve what makes South Africa unique.
Two important organisations and laws govern heritage protection:
- UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) works globally to encourage the protection of cultural and heritage sites around the world
- NHRA (National Heritage Resources Act) is South Africa's law that identifies, protects, and manages our country's heritage
The South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) is the government body responsible for implementing these protections.
While UNESCO operates at an international level protecting sites of global significance, the NHRA and SAHRA focus specifically on South African heritage. This dual system ensures that our heritage sites receive both local and international recognition where appropriate.
Criteria for selecting a heritage site
SAHRA uses specific criteria to decide whether a site deserves heritage protection. A place can become a heritage site if it meets one or more of the following requirements:
Community and local history importance
The site must be meaningful to the community or represent an important pattern in local history.
Example: Community Gathering Places
An old community hall building that has served as a gathering place for generations would qualify under this criterion. These spaces often witnessed important community decisions, celebrations, and social movements that shaped local history.
Rare or endangered features
The site should contain rare or endangered features of either natural or cultural heritage.
Example: Protected Plant Species
The King Protea, South Africa's national flower, is a protected plant species found at certain heritage sites. Its rarity and cultural significance as a national symbol make locations where it grows naturally important for preservation.
Educational and informational value
The site must provide important information that helps us understand our natural or cultural heritage. Consider caves used by the San people as places of safety – these natural features are valuable because the paintings inside reveal details about the San way of life and culture.
Educational value isn't limited to formal learning environments. Heritage sites serve as "living classrooms" where people can connect with history through direct experience rather than just reading about it.
Creative or technical achievement
The site should demonstrate great creative or technical achievement from a particular period. The architecture used in the Union Buildings in Pretoria showcases the engineering and design skills of its time.
Special community associations
The site must have a strong or special connection with a particular community or cultural group for social, cultural, or spiritual reasons. The Voortrekker Monument, built to honour the Great Trek, holds special significance for Afrikaans culture and represents an important part of their history.
Association with important people or organisations
The site should have a strong connection to the life or work of a person, group, or organisation important to local history.
Example: The Nelson Mandela Museum
The Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape commemorates the life of South Africa's first democratically elected president. This site connects visitors to Mandela's personal journey while teaching them about the broader struggle for democracy in South Africa.
Connection to slavery history
The site must relate to the history of slavery in the local area. Sarah Baartman's grave in Hankey, Eastern Cape, is an example. Sarah was enslaved in Cape Town, later sold, and displayed at exhibitions in Europe – a painful reminder of South Africa's slave history.
Sites connected to slavery history are particularly important for acknowledging difficult parts of our past. These sites help us remember historical injustices and ensure we learn from them to build a better future.
Beauty valued by the community
The site should possess beauty valued by a community or cultural group. The Cape Floral Region in the Western Cape qualifies because of its rich and diverse plant life, which local communities treasure.
Types of heritage sites
Heritage sites fall into three main types based on their characteristics:
Cultural heritage sites
Cultural sites contain elements of history, religion, art, architecture, archaeology, or the way of life of a cultural group. These include:
- Archaeological sites
- Monuments
- Villages
- Graves
- Historic buildings
An important aspect of cultural heritage is living heritage, which includes traditions like story-telling that communities continue to practice today.
Living heritage is particularly special because it's not static – it evolves and changes with each generation while maintaining connections to the past. This makes it both fragile and dynamic, requiring different preservation approaches than physical structures.
Natural heritage sites
Natural sites are valued for their natural beauty, scientific importance, or educational significance. Examples include:
- Forests
- Coastal areas
- Wetlands
- Waterfalls
- Caves
- Mountains
South African examples include the Vredefort Dome, Sterkfontein caves, and the Hole in the Wall in the Eastern Cape.
Mixed natural and cultural heritage sites
These are natural places that also carry cultural significance.
Example: The Drakensberg Mountains
The Drakensberg Mountains serve as an excellent example of a mixed heritage site. They are naturally beautiful with dramatic peaks and diverse ecosystems, but they also contain ancient San rock art. This combination makes them both a natural wonder and a cultural treasure, qualifying them as a mixed heritage site.
Categories of heritage sites
Heritage sites are categorised into four levels based on their importance:
| Category | Description | South African examples |
|---|---|---|
| World Heritage Sites | Sites with great value to the whole world. South Africa has eight World Heritage Sites. | - iSimangaliso Wetland Park (1999) - Robben Island (1999) - Cradle of Humankind (1999) - uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (2000) - Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (2003) - Cape Floral Region (2004) - Vredefort Dome (2005) - Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (2007) |
| National Heritage Sites | Sites significant to people throughout the country. These are sources of national pride and are classified as Grade 1 Sites. | - Hector Peterson Memorial in Soweto, Gauteng - Taung Heritage Site, North West - Sarah Baartman's grave in Hankey, Eastern Cape - Makapane's Valley in Mokopane, Limpopo |
| Provincial Heritage Sites | Sites with special significance to people within a province. These are Grade 2 Sites managed by provincial governments. | - Hole in the Wall, Eastern Cape - Modjadji Cycad Forest, Limpopo - Voortrekker Monument, Gauteng - Pilgrim's Rest, Mpumalanga - Table Mountain, Western Cape - Pilanesburg National Park, North West - Battlefields in KwaZulu-Natal |
| Local Heritage Sites | Sites of significance to local communities. These are Grade 3 Sites. Local communities must agree on the site's importance before it can be declared a heritage site. Local authorities and municipalities identify and manage these sites. | - Old buildings with cultural significance - Traditional huts - Trees with cultural significance - Graves of locally important people - Rock art older than 100 years - Features, structures, and artefacts older than 75 years associated with military history |
Understanding the Grading System:
Notice that both World Heritage Sites and National Heritage Sites are classified as Grade 1, reflecting their highest level of importance. The grading system helps determine:
- What level of government is responsible for management
- How strictly the site must be protected
- What resources are allocated for preservation
The heritage plaque
A plaque is a plate made of metal, stone, or wood that is fixed to a wall. A heritage plaque is a special ornamental plate awarded to sites that have been granted National Heritage Status. These plaques commemorate the official opening of the site.
Heritage plaques are usually unveiled during the official opening ceremony of National Heritage Sites. They typically carry a message honouring the event or the person being remembered.
Heritage plaques serve multiple purposes beyond just marking a site. They:
- Provide official recognition from SAHRA
- Offer visitors basic information about the site's significance
- Create a sense of pride for local communities
- Help tourists identify heritage sites
For example, the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha displays a plaque dedicated to Nelson Mandela's memory.
SAHRA awards these plaques to heritage sites throughout South Africa.
Examples of local heritage sites
The Sunland Big Baobab
Location: Sunland Farm, Modjadji Kloof, Limpopo
Type: Natural
Category: Local
The Big Baobab is an extraordinary tree with remarkable features:
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The tree has been radiocarbon dated at 6 000 years old, making it older than Egypt's Pyramids of Giza
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It is the widest tree of its species in the entire world
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During spring, the tree produces beautiful blossoms
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The tree provides a home for diverse bird life, including two pairs of owls
Unique Feature: The Pub Inside the Tree
What makes this heritage site particularly unique is the pub inside the tree. In 1993, the Van Heerden family purchased Sunland Farm, where the tree grows. They discovered the hollow interior and transformed it into a railway sleeper pub.
Key Facts:
- The bar and wine cellar can accommodate about 60 people
- It has become famous worldwide
- It attracts both locals and international visitors
- This demonstrates how heritage sites can be both preserved and made accessible to the public in creative ways
The Nelson Mandela Museum
Type: Cultural
Category: Local
Location: Three separate sites in the Eastern Cape
The Nelson Mandela Museum is a living museum spread across three locations, each telling different parts of Nelson Mandela's life story:
- Mvezo village – where Nelson Mandela was born in 1918
- Qunu Village – where Nelson Mandela grew up as a young boy
- The Bhunga Building in Mthatha – which exhibits gifts that Nelson Mandela received from all over the world (Mandela was South Africa's first democratically elected President)
The museum serves multiple important purposes:
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It allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of the famous Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
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It inspires people through Mandela's life story
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It showcases Mandela's love for children and his family
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It demonstrates Mandela's respect for tradition
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It displays memorabilia, family photographs, paintings, and priceless gifts which Mandela received from many different countries around the world
The concept of a "living museum" is significant because it doesn't confine history to a single building. By spreading across three locations that were actually part of Mandela's life, visitors gain a more authentic and personal understanding of his journey. This approach makes the museum experience more immersive and meaningful.
The museum helps younger generations understand Mandela's contribution to South Africa's democracy and his role as a global peace icon.
Exam tips
Preparing for Heritage Site Questions:
- Learn the acronyms: Make sure you can explain UNESCO, NHRA, and SAHRA
- Know the categories: Remember the four levels (World, National, Provincial, Local) and their grade numbers (Grade 1, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3)
- Memorise examples: Be ready to name at least one example from each category
- Understand the criteria: You may be asked why a particular site qualifies as heritage – link your answer to the eight criteria
- Use South African examples: Examiners prefer local examples that show you understand your own heritage
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
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A heritage site is a protected place of importance for our heritage, governed by UNESCO internationally and NHRA/SAHRA nationally
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Eight criteria determine if a site deserves heritage protection, including community importance, rarity, educational value, and cultural associations
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There are three types of heritage sites: cultural (human-made), natural (environmental), and mixed (combination of both)
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Heritage sites are categorised into four levels of importance: World (Grade 1), National (Grade 1), Provincial (Grade 2), and Local (Grade 3)
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Heritage plaques are special commemorative plates awarded to National Heritage Sites during their official opening ceremonies
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South Africa has remarkable heritage sites ranging from the 6 000-year-old Big Baobab tree to the Nelson Mandela Museum, showcasing both our natural wonders and cultural history