TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 1
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SUMMARY INFORMATION AND PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
WITH DATA HANDLING
Read the information below and answer the questions that follow.
The 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa
Can you name all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in South Africa without using
Google or ChatGPT? Most South Africans probably can't. Until recently, I couldn’t
either.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that has been recognized by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as having
outstanding universal value to humanity and is therefore protected and preserved for
future generations. These sites can be natural areas, such as national parks and
forests, or cultural areas, such as historic cities, monuments, and archaeological sites.
UNESCO sites benefit from increased recognition, protection, conservation, tourism
and international funding.
South Africa is rich in cultural and natural heritage and it has 10 UNESCO World
Heritage sites throughout the country, more than any other country in Africa. Each one
has its own unique story to tell. Here are the sites along with their histories,
significance, and distinguishing features that make them valuable.
[Adapted from www.inafricaandbeyond.com]
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 2
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1. iSimangaliso Wetland Park iSimangaliso Wetland Park was South
(KwaZulu-Natal) Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage site.
Spanning along 220km of coastline, the park
is also the country's largest protected
wetlands and its third largest nature reserve.
It is one of the most diverse nature areas in
South Africa, covering a wide range of
ecosystems, including wetlands, coastal
dunes, mangroves and coral reefs. At the
southern-most entrance to this park is Lake
St Lucia, South Africa’s largest estuary at
almost 80 km in length. Rich in wildlife and
biodiversity, the lake has the highest
concentration of hippos and crocodiles in
the country.
Robben Island is a small island off the 2. Robben Island (Western Cape)
coast of Cape Town, used as a prison
for political free-thinkers during the
apartheid era. Nelson Mandela spent 18
years there. The prison has since been
closed, but a guided tour of the island
gives its history and the stories of those
who were imprisoned there. Tours are
often given by former inmates.
The island was once used as a leper
colony too and one can see the leper
graveyard on the tour.
3. Cape Floral Region Protected The Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
Areas (Western Cape/Eastern Cape) are a group of thirteen different protected
areas stretching from the Cederberg to the
Cape of Good Hope. They include Table
Mountain National Park, Kirstenbosch
Botanical Gardens and De Hoop Nature
Reserve. The smallest of the world’s six
floral kingdoms, they support around 9 000
plant species, including many unique and
endemic varieties not found anywhere else
in the world.
Hiking is a popular activity, and there are
many trails and routes throughout the region
for visitors to explore.
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 3
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The Fossil Hominid Sites of South 4. Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa /
Africa, also known as the Cradle of Cradle of Humankind (Gauteng/North-
Humankind, consist of a group of 13 West/Limpopo)
different locations where the remains of
early hominids dating back up to 4.5
million years have been found. The
most famous of these locations are the
Sterkfontein Caves, which are
estimated to be 20 million years old.
The Little Foot hominid fossil and the
pre-human skull of Mrs. Ples were both
found there, as well as Homo Naledi
which was found in the Rising Star cave
and is the most complete hominid
skeleton ever found. One can visit the
Maropeng Visitor Centre in the Cradle
of Humankind.
5. Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape The Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape is
(Limpopo) home to the remains of the largest Southern
African kingdom that existed between the
9th and 13th centuries. Mapungubwe was a
thriving centre of ivory and gold trade before
it was abandoned. The famous golden rhino
was found there as well as other evidence of
a prosperous African kingdom. Visitors to
the Mapungubwe National
Park in Limpopo can do a heritage tour and
visit the museum where the golden rhino is
displayed.
The Richtersveld Cultural and 6. Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical
Botanical Landscape features a Landscape (Northern Cape)
unique ecosystem that is found
nowhere else in the world. The
mountainous desert region has a dry
and harsh landscape with extreme
temperatures, which gives rise to a wide
range of different plant species,
including many succulents and other
endangered desert-adapted species. It
is also where you will find the semi-
nomadic Nama people, who live in the
three Nama villages.
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 4
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7. Vredefort Dome (Free State) The Vredefort Dome is the best preserved,
oldest and largest meteorite impact site in
the world. It was created over 2 000 million
years ago when a huge meteorite collided
with the earth in an impact that was twice
the size of the one that caused the
dinosaurs to be extinct 65 million years ago!
A massive crater was left behind that is still
visible today, and small hills in a dome
shape with valleys between them, were
formed after the impact. The site provides a
unique insight into the history of our planet
and the forces that have shaped it over time.
Guided tours are recommended.
The Maloti Drakensberg Park includes 8. Maloti Drakensberg Park (KwaZulu-
the uKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park in Natal/Lesotho)
KwaZulu-Natal and Sehlathebe National
Park in Lesotho. It comprises a range of
different landscapes, including high
peaks, deep valleys, and rocky gorges.
Many different plant and animal species
can be found here, including
endangered species such as the
Bearded Vulture. Often referred to as an
open-air mountain museum, the park
contains over 30 000 San rock art
engravings in its caves. There are many
trails and scenic routes throughout the
area, as well as many beautiful resorts.
9. The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape is
(Northern Cape) located in the Southern Kalahari region of
the Northern Cape. It is of great cultural and
historical significance due to the ǂKhomani
San people who were believed to have
vanished, until recently. They still follow a
traditional hunter-gatherer existence. The
massive site includes the entire Kalahari
Gemsbok National Park and forms part of
the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, and
contains evidence of human occupation
going back to the Stone Age. Stay at !Xaus
Lodge, the community-owned lodge in the
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park to meet them
and experience tracking with them.
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 5
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The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains 10. The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
are the most recent addition to South (Mpumalanga)
Africa’s list of UNESCO World Heritage
sites. These beautiful mountains
in Mpumalanga contain the oldest and
best-preserved volcanic and
sedimentary rock (formed by pressure
at the bottom of an ocean) on Earth,
estimated to be around 3.6 billion years
old. The wide range of unique and rare
rock formations have played an
important role in shaping our
understanding of the evolution of the
Earth. The vast area consists mainly of
small mountains and hills combined with
grassy plains, forests and valleys, and a
huge variety of plants and animals can
be found there.
[Adapted from www.inafricaandbeyond.com]
ACTIVITY 1
Tabulate a study summary from the article above by giving the following details
about the World Heritage Sites in South Africa in THREE columns. In the first
column place the full name. In the second column the location
(province(s)/neighbouring country). In the third column write in your own words
important facts which must include a statistic (number/ranking etc.).
FULL NAME LOCATION FACTS including
(Province(s)/neighbouring STATISTIC
country)
(6) (6) (8) (20)
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 6
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Activity 1 STUDY SUMMARY IN TABLE FORMAT [20]
Criteria 0-1 2 3-4 5-6 T M
Column 1: Placed the full No attempt is Errors made in Only THREE or Only ONE error
name of the World Heritage made or all FOUR of the TWO errors made made in the
Sites names have World Heritage in the correctness correctness of the
errors. Sites’ names in of the names, name, writing the
Or FIVE or more terms of the writing the names name in full or the
names have correctness of the in full or the spelling of the
errors in terms of name, writing the spelling of the name. Or all 10
the correctness of name in full or the names of the 10 World Heritage
the name, writing spelling of the World Heritage Sites have the
the name in full or name. Sites. correct, full name
the spelling of the with no spelling
name and errors made.
deserve a low
mark.
Criteria 0-1 2 3-4 5-6 T M
Column 2: The location No attempt is Errors made in Only THREE or Only ONE error
(province(s)/neighbouring made or all FOUR of the TWO errors made made in the
country) of each of the World locations have World Heritage in the location, in location in terms
Heritage Sites. errors. Sites’ location in terms of the of the province(s)
Or FIVE or more terms of the province(s) or or neighbouring
locations have province(s) or neighbouring country. Or the
errors in terms of neighbouring country, of the 10 correct
the province(s) or country. World Heritage province(s)/
neighbouring Sites. neighbouring
country and country for all 10
deserve a low World Heritage
mark. Sites have been
given.
Criteria 0-2 3 4-6 7-8 T M
Column 3: Important facts No attempt is Errors made in Only FOUR or Only ONE error
including a statistic made. FIVE of the World THREE or TWO made with the
(number/ranking etc.) about Or SEVEN or Heritage Sites’ errors made with facts in terms of
each of the World Heritage more facts have facts in terms of the facts of the 10 its importance, the
Sites is written in own words. errors in terms of their importance, World Heritage statistic included
their importance the statistics Sites.in terms of or written in own
or the statistics, or included or written their importance, words.
all copied in own words. the statistics Or the important
verbatim and included or written facts include a
deserve a low in own words. statistic written in
mark. own words
Or errors made in correctly for all 10
SIX of the World World Heritage
Heritage Sites’ Sites.
facts in terms of
their importance,
the statistics
included or written
in own words.
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 7
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ACTIVITY 2
Study the map below (which came from the May/June 2023 paper) and answer the
questions that follow.
2.1 Give the full name of the World Heritage Sites in ACTIVITY 1 that were numbered
A, B, C, D, E, F and G on the map above. (7)
2.2 Accurately indicate ON THE MAP with a star (*) and the number (2.2.1-2.2.3)
where the following World Heritage Sites are located on the map:
2.2.1 Robben Island
2.2.2 Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
2.2.3 ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape (3)
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 8
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ACTIVITY 2 MAP DATA [10]
2.1 Name A B C D E F G
Correct
Wrong (7)
2.2 Map location 2.2.1 2.2.2 2.2.3
Correct
Wrong (3)
ACTIVITY 3
Refer to page 1 and the information there and answer the questions that follow.
3.1 Refer to the logo on the first page. Describe all the elements of the two parts of
the logo that is placed at World Heritage Sites. (6)
3.2 Using information in the second paragraph of page 1, explain the concept World
Heritage Site. (4)
3.3 Discuss the THREE types of World Heritage Sites with examples. (6)
3.4 Create an infographic showing the uniqueness of South Africa’s World Heritage
Sites. Use short pieces of information / phrases and visual elements to create a
simple infographic. (4)
Did you know? An infographic is a collection of images, data in visual form
and very little text (written short sentences) that gives an easy-to-understand
overview of a topic. Even though the term infographic appeared in the 1960s,
only in the 1980s with the development of computers did the term infographic
develop into its current meaning, really developing in the last 15 years into
quick transference of complex meaning.
TOURISM GRADE 12 WORLD HERITAGE SITES GP 9
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Activity 3.1 ANALYSIS OF ELEMENTS IN TWO PARTS OF A LOGO [6]
Criteria 0-1 2 3-4 5-6 T M
Referred to the logo and A poor description A below-average An average to An insightful
described all the elements of of the elements of description of the good description description of all
the two parts of the logo that the two parts of elements of the of all the elements the elements of
is placed at World Heritage the logo, including two parts of the of the two parts of the two parts of
Sites. visual and written logo, including the logo, including the logo, including
elements. Hardly visual and written visual and written visual, written and
any of the elements. Fewer elements. Nearly symbolic
elements were of the elements all the elements elements.
identified and were identified were identified Excellent
described. and described. and described. description of all
the elements
identified.
Activity 3.2 EXPLAINING THE CONCEPT WORLD HERITAGE SITE [4]
Criteria 0 1-2 3-4 T M
Used information to explain the No answer is given, or The extent to which The extent to which
concept World Heritage Site the answer given is THREE aspects of a THREE aspects of a
incorrect. World Heritage Site in World Heritage Site in
the information is the information is
explained, is lacking explained, is complete
detail or and with good insight.
understanding or
verbatim copying
without
understanding.
Activity 3.3 DISCUSSION OF THREE TYPES WITH EXAMPLES [6]
Criteria 0-1 2 3-4 5-6 T M
Discussed the THREE types of A poor discussion A below-average An average to An insightful
World Heritage Sites with of THREE types discussion of good discussion discussion of all
examples. or examples. THREE types with of all THREE THREE types with
Hardly any of the only one aspect or types with more more than one
types or examples example than one aspect aspect or example
were identified mentioned for or example mentioned for
and discussed. each. Fewer of mentioned for each. Excellent
the types and each. Nearly all discussion of all
examples were the types and types and
identified and examples were examples.
discussed. identified and
discussed.
Activity 3.4 INFOGRAPHIC SHOWING THE UNIQUENESS OF SOUTH [4]
AFRICA’S WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Criteria 0 1 2 3-4 T M
Created an infographic No attempt is Below-average Average Good to excellent
showing the uniqueness of made. infographic, infographic, with infographic, with
South Africa’s World Heritage Attempt at an lacking elements, written text, data short written text,
Sites. Used short pieces of infographic is so or not really and visual data and clear
information / phrases and poor that it showing the elements showing visual elements
visual elements to create a deserves zero. uniqueness of the uniqueness of showing the
simple infographic. South Africa’s South Africa’s uniqueness of
World Heritage World Heritage South Africa’s
Sites. Sites. World Heritage
Sites well.
TOTAL: 50
