From universal to local: perspectives on cultural landscape heritage in South Africa

A biocultural diversity perspective on heritage strengthens the agency of local communities to safeguard their landscapes, aligning global conservation values with local identity and practices. This study compares the formally designated Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in South Africa with the unrecognized emaXhoseni landscape, revealing how cultural landscapes can be both universal conservation areas and locally meaningful places of identity. By integrating expert and local perspectives, the research highlights the importance of recognizing indigenous beliefs, values, and practices in heritage management, ensuring that conservation efforts are culturally relevant and sustainable.

Cocks, M., Vetter, S., & Wiersum, K. F. (2017). From universal to local: perspectives on cultural landscape heritage in South Africa. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 24(1), 35–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2017.1362573