World Heritage and Transfrontier Conservation Areas : Tourism Development and Community Participation in South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, World Heritage Sites are becoming more recognised as areas of significance which require more protection. This has also been recognised by the State in that the World Heritage Sites are now on the list of Protected Areas in the National Environmental Management and Protected Areas Act. Drawing from some of the best practices around the world, these World Heritage Sites, when protected, preserved, and conserved could boost the South African economy through tourism and other forms of socio-economic developments. South Africa alone has inscribed ten World Heritage Sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and has more sites on the list than any other African countries which has ratified the World Heritage Convention. There are also six South African World Heritage Sites which form part of the Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) with neighbouring countries (Botswana, eSwatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Mozambique). This study focuses on community participation and involvement at South African World Heritage Sites and TFCAs and the challenges that result from tourism development initiatives imposed on communities without proper engagement and consultations. Like many initiatives, including world heritage nomination and the development of TFCAs facilitated by the State and State Entities, community participation and involvement has become an area of concern, in that communities are expected to be passive role players in the participation process and are not actively involved in the management of these sites. The purpose of this research is to look at the similarities of challenges experienced with community participation and involvement at South African World Heritage Sites and TFCAs, with special consideration to tourism developments and other socio-economic initiatives that have been developed to benefit the communities. The study seeks to open a dialogue on World Heritage Sites and TFCAs in South Africa as two emerging development initiatives with potential to grow the economy of the State, as well as those of local communities. In order for this to work, managing a community’s expectations, awareness-raising, capacity building, skills development, and managerial and marketing skills, as previously demonstrated in other research, should be seen as crucial for the longevity of tourism development and other socio-economic initiatives aimed to empower communities. Until the State and State Entities recognise the importance of putting the communities first to actively be involved in these developments, their attempts to uplift communities will continue to yield the same results, and that is, communities choosing to be passive.