2. types of heritage sites
Cultural sites
These sites have a very rich influence of culture, traditional values,
history and a strong sense of beliefs.
examples of cultural heritage sites in South africa include: The Cradle
of Humankind, Robben Island and Isimangaliso Wetland Park.
Natural sites
these sites are famous for their natural landscapes and the diverse
range of indegenious heritage. examples of these sites are: the Cape
Floral, Vredefort Dome.
Mixed sites
these sites are a combination of natural, cultural and intangable
attractions such heritage sites in south africa include: Mapungubwe
cultural landscape, Richtersveld cultural landscape and Ukhahlamba
drankesburg Mountain.
3. 7 A's of selecting a tourist attraction
Tourists usually choose an attraction according to different
factors that have an influence in the destination chose. these
are emphasised in the 7As of selecting an attraction:
1.Availability of package- this can be a holiday planned on an
itenerary where the tourists participates in more than one
activity but pays for the price of one. An example can be
booking a hotel (which is one product) and then getting free
meals but paying for only the accommodation.
2.Accessibility- the tourist chooses an attraction with regard to
the accessibility of the destination, here the tourist looks at the
transportation, the following should be considered: rail, road, air
and water transport
4. 7A's continued
3.Attraction- There should be something different in the
destination region that can draw the tourists to the attraction,
these can include the natural and the built environment.
4.Amenities- The tourists cannot enjoy their stay in an attraction
if there are no proper facilities such as accommodation,
therefore they choose an attraction according to the supporting
services found in the destination such as restaurants and other
hospitality services.
5.Activities- Tousists are eager to experience things while on
holiday therefor there should be activities that they can engage
in the attraction region such as swimming, diving, hiking etc.
5. 7A's continued
6.Ancilliary services- these are all the services that support all
of the above services. They include; water services, sanitation,
electricity, they can also be reffered to as secondary services
and with these services the attraction is likely not to succeed in
attracting the tourists.
7.Ambience- This reffers to the atmosphere of the place, it is
attached to a feeling that the tourist has on a particular place
such as a B&B facility which is laid back, a sleeepy museum or
a vibrant shop.
6. Organisations responsible for
protecting world heritage sites
In South Africa, the heritage
resource act is of 1999
regulates the protection and
conservation of all heritage
sites in the country regarded
as part of the national estate.
The United Nations
Educational Scientific and
Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO)determines the
significant cultural or natural
importance to humanity,
therefore it also mantains
Realistically the protection of
national heritagesites is not
the government's
responsibility but is the
responsibility of specialised
national agencies. the South
african cultural heritage is
protected by the SA heritage
Resource Agency while the
natural heritage is protected
by the South African National
parks.The rest of the
eight world heritage sites are
protected by the Department
7. The Cradle of Humankind
This landscape preserves many features of that prehistoric
period. The Taung Skull Fossil Site part of the extension to the
site inscribed in 1999, is the place where in 1924 the celebrated
Taung Skull, a specimen of the Australopithecus africanus
species, was found. This heritage site is located mainly in
Gauteng and partly in the North west province.
8. The Cape floral Kingdom
Situated in Western Cape Province, the cape floral kingdom is
made up of eight protected areas, covering 553,000 hectares.
This region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world
representing less than 0.5% of the area of Africa but is home to
nearly 20% of the continent’s flora, ecological and biological
9. Ukhahlamba Drakesburg Mountain
The UKhahlamba Drakensberg Park has outstanding natural
beauty in it,razor-sharp dramatic cutbacks, and golden
sandstone ramparts, high grasslands, pristine steep-sided river
valleys and rocks. The Park site's diversity of habitats protects
a threatened species, especially birds and plant. this natural
site also contains many caves and rock-shelters with the
largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa
south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of
4,000 years. The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and
10. Mapungubwe cultural landscape
Mapungubwe is located in the Northern boarders of South
Africa in Limpopo province. It is adjoining
Botswana and Zimbabwe. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
has a very wide, expansive savannah landscape at the
confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers.
Also declared as the World heritage site in the year 1999
Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-
continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. The site
is home to what survives, the almost untouched remains of the
palace sites and also the entire settlement area, as well as two
rich fossil deposits, Bushman rock art and gold artefacts of
ancient civilisations that once flourished here. The giant baobab
trees, riverine forests and associated flood plains provide an
intriguing mix of habitat for a tremendous diversity of
11.
12. Group Activity
In groups of two to four, discuss the
importance of preserving South africa's
world heritage sites for the future
generation. State how citizens will
benefit through the conservation of
such site?
