10 years ago, the historically disadvantaged people of the Richtersveld united, reclaimed title to their traditional land, and set aside this conservancy to be forever conserved for research and tourism. It offers some of southern Africa’s finest hiking, 4×4 driving, camping and cultural experiences.

Now a World Heritage site
Ten years ago, the historically disadvantaged people of the Richtersveld united, reclaimed title to their traditional land, and set it aside as conservancy to be forever conserved for research and tourism. It is the last refuge of Nama people living what is known as the transhumance lifestyle – to migrate seasonally with their livestock from mountains to the river and so make sustainable use of the fragile succulent ecosystem.

In recognition of this vanishing lifestyle, and of the rare botanical diversity it helps protect, the Conservancy has been declared the core of a new World Heritage Site.

The The Richtersveld World Heritage Site – previously referred to as the Community Conservancy, includes deep rugged kloofs, breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity and high mountains. The WHS is bordered to the north by the Richtersveld National Park, managed jointly by the local Richtersveld community and South African National Parks, and on other sides by communal lands.

This is a harsh and unpredictable land that depends on the life sustaining moisture that comes in the form of early morning fog. Even so, the World Heritage Site is a biological wonder.

From a distance you see only rugged mountains, sweeping deserts, a giant blue sky and glimpses of the mighty Orange River creeping along to the sea. On closer investigation however, you realize that you are standing in one of Africa’s most diverse and rich ecosystems.

The Heritage Site sits in the heart of what is called the Succulent Karoo Biodiversity Hotspot and an ecosystem with an astounding 4849 succulent plants, 40% of which are found nowhere else.

To be declared a hotspot, an area must have incredibly high species diversity and a high percentage of endemism. It is quite a unique distinction, as there are only 25 hotspots in the world. Even more unusual is that the Succulent Karoo is a desert and is the only arid biodiversity hotspot on Earth.

The post Richtersveld World Heritage Site appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

The post DFA Press Release appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

The post Other Reports appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

The post Annual Reports appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

The name ‘Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone’ is Setswana for ‘Heritage Northern Cape’ and the organisation is commonly referred to as ‘Boswa’ (Heritage). It is also officially known by its names in the other three official languages of the province, English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.
Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone is also commonly known as “Boswa”

Boswa is under the governance of a council appointed by the MEC for Sport, Arts & Culture and is administered by the staff of the Heritage Resources Unit of the Department.

Amongst other things Boswa administers:
• World Heritage Sites
• Provincial Heritage Sites
• Heritage Areas
• Register Sites
• 60 year old structures
• Public monuments & memorials

Archaeology, including rock art, graves of victims of conflict and other graves not in formal cemeteries are administered by the national heritage authority, SAHRA (www.sahra.org.za).

Boswa is best known as the custodian of the approximately 130 provincial heritage sites in the province, but is also responsible for administration of other forms of protection of heritage established under the terms of the National Heritage.

The post Who We Are appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

This necessitated the creation of a system whereby many of the responsibilities of the former National Monuments Council were devolved to provincial level via the National Heritage Resources Act.

Whilst provinces may pass their own heritage conservation legislation, the Northern Cape Provincial Government elected to use provisions of the National Heritage Resources Act which allow it to establish a provincial heritage resources authority (PHRA). Boswa was hence established by regulation on 28 February 2003.

On 11 October 2003 the Council appointed by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture met for the first time and has since met regularly.

The Council has established a sub-committee known as the ‘Permits Committee’ which meets monthly to consider applications under the terms of the National Heritage Resources Act. The Council has also established an Executive Committee.

Boswa inherited responsibility for approximately 130 former national monuments, now known as ‘provincial heritage sites’.

The National Heritage Resources Act provides for a greater variety of protection than did its predecessor and the organisation has continued to institute protections of various forms under its terms. A large part of this work is dedicated to transforming the heritage landscape of the Northern Cape Province to ensure that the heritage of all its people enjoys equal recognition and appropriate protection.

The post Our History appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.

Boswa is subject to a biennial assessment of competency by the South African Heritage Resources Agency, SAHRA, in terms of which it is determined which aspects of the National Heritage Resources Act it is qualified to implement. It has been assessed as competent to deal with all areas over which a provincial heritage resources authority is permitted to act, aside from Section 36 of the Act which covers certain aspects relating to graves and burials.

Categories of heritage resources for which Boswa is responsible

NBKB is responsible for sites that fall within the following categories

• Buildings and structures of architectural, historical, technical and aesthetic value
• Places to which oral traditions intangible values are attached
• Historical settlements and towns
• Landscapes and natural features
• Sites associated with slavery

The post Mandate appeared first on Ngwao Boswa Kapa Bokone.