World Heritage Site activation celebrates Cradle of Human Culture

Media release by Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport
5 August 2024
 
World Heritage Site activation celebrates Cradle of Human Culture
 
On Sunday, 4 August 2024, Premier Alan Winde and Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, hosted an activation ceremony to celebrate the successful inscription as a World Heritage Site of two archaeological sites in the Western Cape (Pinnacle Point Site Complex in Mossel Bay and Diepkloof Rock Shelter near Elands Bay) alongside Sibhudu Cave in KwaZulu-Natal.
 
These sites – known as the Cradle of Human Culture – formed part of the South African World Heritage Site nomination, ‘The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa.’
 
The event took place in Mossel Bay, where a team of local and international scientists have worked for close to 30 years unearthing evidence of early modern humans and their social, behavioural and technical innovations. The evidence dates from as early as 162 000 years ago, displaying the development of more complex cognitive abilities in our ancestors.
 
Guests at the activation ceremony included Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie; Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Andrew Stroebel; Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay, Dirk Kotzé; traditional Khoisan leaders from the Gouriqua Khoi Khoranna Kraal and Klaas Dora Khoi Kraal; South African Heritage Resources Agency and KwaZulu-Natal Amafa Institute, among others.
 
Professor Curtis Marean, director of the science team at Pinnacle Point and world-renowned paleoanthropologist, said, “World Heritage status recognises that the scientific results here are of extraordinary importance and universal human value. This is the first documentation of how early humans made a shift to embed their lives in the sea, leading to fundamental transformations in their society.”
 
Provincial Minister Mackenzie said, “The Cradle of Human Culture is an inclusive heritage destination, demonstrating our shared origins as human beings. Today was a deeply meaningful occasion recognising the many years of hard work leading to this global achievement. This is something we can all celebrate as South Africans, and that we must preserve for future generations. Today we mark not only the inscription, but the journey it has taken to reach it. And from here we set off on a new journey to grow the tourism potential, cultural value, and further scientific study of the Cradle of Human Culture.”
 
Premier Alan Winde said, “We already have so much to be proud of culturally in our province, and now we have one more reason to boast. The international recognition of these sites will help to raise awareness of the need for us to preserve and cherish our heritage. We must also leverage this honour to create more economic opportunities, in a sustainable manner that enhances our cultural offerings and history.”
 
Another activation ceremony will be held at Diepkloof Rock Shelter on the West Coast, launching the next phase in managing, protecting, and developing the sites.