South Africa's Most Endangered Heritage Sites Have Been Revealed

South Africa is home to some of Africa’s most revered cultural heritage sites. In fact, together with Ethiopia and Morocco, the country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the continent. However, a new report indicates that some of the country’s key destinations are currently under threat.

According to the Heritage Monitoring Project (HMP), several of South Africa’s iconic sites are at risk, as a result of either human destruction or natural issues. In the HMP’s annual Most Endangered Cultural Heritage Sites report, they reveal that a range of sites, including historical buildings, sites of conflict, mills, museums and even fortifications, are considered to be under threat.

Many nominations for threatened sites came from the public, who raised concerns about 35 different places and structures. A lack of funding, poor maintenance, the effects of gentrification and pressure from new developments are all closing in on some of the country’s most prized destinations.

These are the sites that, according to the HMP, require the most immediate attention.

This mission station dates back to 1865, when it was a place of safety for converts following the King of the Bapedi’s attempted suppression of Christianity. The station has since developed into a small town. But infighting amongst local land claimers has meant that this historically important station is now under increasing threat of neglect.

Bo-Kaap, Western Cape

The Bo-Kaap is one of the Cape’s principal tourist attractions. It contains some of the oldest Cape residential architecture still intact, and thousands of people visit the suburb each year to snap photographs of the colourful homes. The primary threat to the Bo-Kaap is ongoing gentrification, and many new buildings and businesses are conflicting with the original residential character of the region.

Fort Hendrina, Limpopo

Fort Hendrina in Limpopo dates back to 1887, and is believed to be the only remaining iron fort in South Africa. The fort is Austrian-designed, and saw action during the South African Anglo-Boer War. According to activists, the local municipality that owns the fort has neglected it and it is in urgent need of restoration.

Village of Bathurst, Eastern Cape

Many consider the village of Bathurst to be the heart of settler country. The 1820 British Settlers built many important structures in this region, many of which are dilapidated and in urgent need of repair.

Xolobeni Red Dunes, Eastern Cape

Some believe that this site along the country’s Wild Coast has seen up to 300,000 years of human occupation. Tools found on the site date back to the Late Acheulean complex and the Sangoan period. The area is under direct threat from mining, and though a moratorium is currently in place, should it go ahead again it will devastate the remaining site.

Though the HMP has raised concerns about the state of some of the country’s most important heritage sites, they are pleased with the amount of public concern and involvement that has been shown. Furthermore, they hope that by running an annual review of these sites, they’ll continue to publicise the variety of important heritages that South Africa is home to.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.