Die Wêrelderfeniskomitee van Unesco het Vrydag aan drie terreine in die Wes-Kaap en KwaZulu-Natal wêrelderfenisstatus toegeken.
Gayton McKenzie, minister vir sport, kuns en kultuur, het so sy trots uitgespreek: “I am so incredibly proud of Team SA in India.”
Rebecca Campbell, woordvoerder vir Ricardo Mackenzie, die minister vir Kultuursake en Sport in die Wes-Kaap, sê die toekenning is op die 46ste sitting van die Unesco-wêrelderfeniskomitee gemaak.
Die toekenning was vir die benoeming getiteld: “Die opkoms van moderne menslike gedrag.”
“Die suksesvolle inskripsie van hierdie drie Middel-Steentydperkterreine is ‘n erkenning van ons betekenisvolle bydrae tot die verstaan van die oorsprong van moderne menslike gedrag.”
Die drie trotse terreine wat die toekenning ontvang het, is die Diepkloof-rotsskuiling naby Elandsbaai in die Wes-Kaap, Pinnacle Point-grotte in Mosselbaai in die Wes-Kaap en die Sibudu-grot in KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal.
Die minister het die toekenning met trots en dankbaarheid namens Suid-Afrika aanvaar.
Lees die verklaring hier onder:
“It is with immense pride and gratitude that I accept the prestigious recognition of The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa as a World Heritage Site. This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to preserve and celebrate the origins of modern human behaviour and our shared cultural heritage. The exceptional preservation of these sites, amidst the challenges of climate change and rising sea levels stand as testaments to our ancestors’ resilience, ingenuity, and adaptation to environmental changes.”
Mackenzie continued, “The integrity and authenticity of these sites have been meticulously preserved through the diligent efforts of international multidisciplinary teams of experts. Their work, grounded in the highest standards of archaeological practice, has ensured that the findings remain intact and continue to reveal new insights as research progresses. The commitment to protecting these sites under national heritage legislation and comprehensive management frameworks further ensures their preservation for future generations.”
Premier Alan Wine added, “Achieving this World Heritage Site status is a monumental recognition of our province’s exceptional cultural and historical significance on the world stage. In addition to our existing two World Heritage Sites, this inscription will promote sustainable tourism, economic development and job creation for many residents of the Western Cape.”
Lees die verklaring van die minister, Gayton McKenzie, hier onder:
