NHC participated in the ICOMOS AFRICA24 Conference: Kenya

The National Heritage Council attended the Africa24 Conference which focused on the conservation of Built Heritage in Africa hosted by the International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) at SwahiliPOT HUB in Kenya, Mombasa from 25 – 30 November 2024.

The purpose of this event was to provide support to African local communities and colleagues who work in the fields of vernacular architecture, earthen architecture, cultural landscapes, intangible heritage, cultural tourism, sustainability, and rights-based approach to heritage. The meeting further intended to encourage new members to join ICOMOS in order to raise awareness of ICOMOS’ interests and activities related to African cultural heritage.

Agenda 2063 of the African Union served as the conference’s inspiration.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Africa World Heritage Fund (AWHF), Foundation for the Preservation for Cultural Heritage in Nigeria (FOPCHEN), Swahili POT Hub Foundation and SD WISHEES were part of stakeholders that joined forces in this critical conference.

Delegates were treated to an unforgettable visit to the Mjikenda Kaya Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Deliberations on issues, challenges and opportunities of Africa’s world heritage sites were part of the discussions on the first day of the conference.

In his keynote address, Dr Webber Ndoro shared his insights on “The Africa we want Agenda 2063 programme” who was one of the five people selected to work on the programme by the then Chairperson of the Africa Union – Dr Nkosazana Zuma.

“There was a strong feeling that culture should be part and parcel of our ambition for Africa. It was realised that Culture was not just part of our heritage it was also part of our economy and if we don’t have culture, economic value is going to be difficult to maintain,” said Dr Ndoro.

He pointed out that they serve 53 member states and 9 of them don’t have World Heritage Sites inscribed.  He highlighted some of their programmes that seek to promote Islamic heritage as 33 out of 56 are on the endangered list. He further said that they will be working together with the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF) during December to alleviate the sites on the endangered list.

The CEO of the NHC, Dr Thabo Manetsi who is also a Chairperson of ICOMOS South Africa said that we do heritage not for the sake of conserving it only. We have to put heritage to use and encourage our communities to use it in a sustainable and ethical manner, then conservation efforts fall aside.

He further said that heritage must also come with an incentive, the incentive should be about responding to community needs and be directed to bread and butter issues.

The delegation wrapped up the last day of the conference with a visit to the Rabai Culture Village to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Rabai community, where participants gained insights into traditional practices and the significance of the sacred Kaya forests.

It was a fitting conclusion to a week of impactful discussions and learning, highlighting the importance of preserving Africa’s diverse heritage.