INSCRIBING THE AFRICAN HERITAGE

"The UNESCO World Heritage status serves as a catalyst not only for conservation, partnerships, social cohesion, skills development and education, but also for job creation, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment and an increased GDP"
Themba P Wakashe - outgoing Chairman of the AWHF Board of Trustees.

On the 24th of November 2011, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr. Paul Mashatile, and the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) will be hosting a function to celebrate the inscription of the new African sites onto the UNESCO World Heritage List and to honor those who have contributed to this success. The celebration will coincide with the 10th meeting of the AWHF Board of Trustees.

The function will see the inauguration of the new Chairperson of the AWHF Board of Trustees, and serve as a platform to thank donors and encourage new stakeholder involvement in African Heritage protection and preservation.

Despite the cradle of humankind's location and our rich biodiversity, the African continent remains underrepresented on the UNESCO World Heritage List, The addition of five new African sites to this List during 2011 is therefore a great triumph. African sites inscribed this year include: Kenya Lakes System in the Great Rift Valley (Kenya); Konso Cultural Landscape (Ethiopia); Fort Jesus, Mombasa (Kenya); Saloum Delta (Senegal); Archeological Sites of the Island of Meroe (Sudan). This is the first year that we've had so many sites inscribed.

These new inscriptions should not only be seen as great successes but a motivation to keep collaborate, assist and inspire each other towards preserving the magnificent heritage of Africa.