Subject :United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO): Barberton Makhojwa Mountain World Heritage Site.

It was within the Kingdom of Bahrain on Monday 2 July 2018, a year the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially promulgated its recognition of the (Barberton) Makhonjwa Mountains, within Mpumalanga, South Africa as a world heritage site.

The Makhonjwa Mountain positions as worlds only oldest mountain greenstone belt range which consists of archeological rock formations estimated to be worth 3.6 billion years old in age forms-believed of being world’s oldest.

Interesting and intriguing are suggestable facts that of the mountains genetic geology evidence: comprising of volcanic nutrients which provides bacteria fossils, mineral and sedimentary content.

The Makhonjwa mountain has paved path for various mineral content to develop: greenstone, gold and asbestos stone/ rock predominantly. More so interestingly, a sudden era of new rock family “specie”. Red stones have now erupted and presented themselves in evolutionary rock timeline within from the Makhonjwa mountain. These come in certain types, weights, color, content and structure.

Influenced and encouraged off by the auspices of the national governments Department of Tourism and of provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism par Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) sub Mpumalanga Provincial Government, the project cycle period exercises; from the local decision-making until enforcement to reaching present finalization determination within global sphere was one notable to learn.

Its said that the mountain to achieve its global recognition achievement, the UNESCO committee was lead by the inspiration of the natural values of vegetation, flora and fauna.

The Barberton Daisy flower, Paleontology and soil contents which all set out  detailing definition meaning for the mountain to being understood as the “genesis of life”(where life began) due to the ecosystem and biodiversity it holds and hosts. Todate gold mining, forestry and ranching economic activities are performed and encouraged in high growth and development.

In acknowledgement of such natural diversity and prosperity Barberton Tourism: local tourism organization which ensures conservation practices are maintained and upheld, have taken the role to steer sustainability exercises to bestow and maintain such heritage. Marketing the heritage at the Tourism Indaba in Durban, KZN  was another action plan due done yet also equipping the general local public citizens  information about this significance where easily reachable(media platforms[Barberton Times newspaper]) was another lauded approach undertaken.

Provided information and acting adjacent to that learnt and understood environmental protectionism was exercised. The knowledge to understand and partake on the pivotal role for future viability and bolster socio-governance environmental endorsement practices were considered and implemented.   

Thus attempt of a community commune and integrated socio- bureaucratic environmental governance relationship and partnership the conservation and preservation efforts contributed and pledged by the residential community citizens in ensuring excellence to foster strong regulation for the Makhonjwa mountain  was considered and endured as an phenomenal stance which amazed the UNESCO council.

Therefore, amongst the rest bidding nations presented afore, given the natural and enlightenments, sound discovery knowledge information and concrete phenomenal of what bestows, UNESCO officially considered; promulgated the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain (Greenstone Belt) to be a World Heriatge Site, the Republic of South Africa’s 10^th and  Mpumalanga Province 1^st(first) world heritage site.   

References:

·         World Heritage Nomination-IUCN Technical Evaluation

Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains (Republic of South Africa)

IUCN Recommendation to World Heritage Committee.

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