Inside of staying in this Heritage Day why not get out-and-about and immerse yourself in South Africa’s dynamic culture.<\/p>\n
One way to do this is to visit one of several official world heritage sites, as determined by Unesco\u2019s World Heritage Committee, right here in SA.<\/p>
The SA boasts four cultural, three natural and one mixed (cultural and natural) heritage sites, to name a few.<\/p>\n
This is is not surprising given the spectacular and diverse culture, nature and wildlife that South Africa offers.<\/p>
Here are a list of these heritage sites:<\/p>\n
iSimangaliso Wetland Park<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (KwaZulu-Natal) Robben Island<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Western Cape) Cradle of Humankind<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Gauteng) The Park has outstanding natural beauty, Africa\u2019s highest mountain range south of Kilimanjaro, and the largest and most concentrated series of rock art paintings in Africa \u2013 making it a World Heritage site of both natural and cultural significance.<\/p>\n Mapungubwe National Park<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Limpopo) Cape Floral Region<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Western Cape) Vredefort Dome<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Free State) Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 (Northern Cape) How many have you seen\/been to?<\/p>\n Information supplied by:\u00a0SA Places.<\/a><\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n
\nThe iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerley the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) has both one of the largest estuary systems in Africa and the continent\u2019s southernmost coral reefs. The park has been noted for its exceptional biodiversity, including some 521 bird species.<\/p>\n
\nRobben Island is most famous as the place where Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected president of South Africa, was imprisoned for 18 of his 27 years in jail. The island has since become a symbol of the triumph of democracy and freedom over oppression.<\/p>\n
\nThe Cradle of Humankind covering the region of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and environs has one of the world\u2019s richest concentrations of hominid fossils, evidence of human evolution over the last 3.5-million years.<\/p>\n
\nMapungubwe \u2013 \u201cplace of the stone of wisdom\u201d \u2013 was South Africa\u2019s first kingdom, and developed into the subcontinent\u2019s largest realm, lasting for 400 years before it was abandoned in the 14th century. Its highly sophisticated people traded gold and ivory with China, India and Egypt.<\/p>\n
\nThe Cape Floral Region takes up only 0.04% of the world\u2019s land area, yet contains an astonishing 3% percent of its plant species. This makes it one of the richest areas for plants in the world and one of the globe\u2019s 18 biodiversity hot spots.<\/p>\n
\nSome 2-billion years ago a meteorite 10 kilometres in diameter hit the earth about 100km southwest of Johannesburg, creating an enormous impact crater. This area, near the town of Vredefort in the Free State, is known as the Vredefort Dome.<\/p>\n
\nThe Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape covers 160 000 hectares of dramatic mountainous desert in the north-west part of South Africa. A unique feature of the site is that it is owned and managed by a community that until recently had very little to call its own.<\/p>\n