Bahrain - The World Heritage Committee has today (2 July 2018) inscribed the naturally significant Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain on the global heritage list.
The historic decision was taken at the 42nd session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
This makes the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains the (10th) tenth site in South Africa to be inscribed by the world heritage body since the country became a member in 1997.
The mountains range which lies within the sub-tropical lowland region in the north-east of South Africa contains the best preserved, oldest and most diverse sequence of volcanic and sedimentary rocks on earth dating back to 3.5 billion years.
The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Kholwane said the inscription of Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains will be a constant reminder of the value of nature and its connection to the people.
“We have been afforded a single most compelling reason to preserve all natural endowments so that future generations can also experience the connection that we have with our mountains, our wetland and many other unique geological inheritances found in the Province”, said MEC Kholwane.
He said the government will continue to provide resources to maintain the status of this unparalleled and unique mountain range in the southern tip of the African Continent in order to boost tourism.
“The human resource structure of the Management Authority has been expanded to include a new Unit led by a senior geologist and a compliment of support staff, totalling eight persons.
“The Government has also committed to support the new Unit with additional one million US dollars per year, to fund the Management Authority staff and operations”, said MEC Kholwane.
The project was initiated in 2007 and put forward for nomination to the world heritage body two years later as part of the efforts to conserve the natural inheritance and to boost tourism in the Province.
ENDS
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT