The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) spans 1 474 000 hectares, bridging the landscapes of Lesotho and South Africa. This transboundary region is characterised by mountain ranges, cliffs and ancient rock art, symbolising a rich cultural and natural heritage.
This TFCA encompasses four distinct sub-regions:
- Eastern Cape Drakensberg and Witteberge
- KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg
- Lesotho Maloti Mountains
- Eastern Free State.
It includes three national parks:
- Sehlabathebe and Tsehlanyane in Lesotho
- Golden Gate Highlands in South Africa.
The area has ecological and cultural importance with its diverse landscapes as home to unique flora and fauna and ancient San rock art sites. In 2001, the governments of Lesotho and South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding formalising cooperation in the management and conservation of the area. This was later bolstered by joint management plans established in 2008.
On June 22, 2013, Sehlabathebe National Park was officially inscribed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an extension of South Africa’s uKhahlamba Drakensberg World Heritage Site, forming the Maloti Drakensberg Transboundary World Heritage Site. This was a milestone for Lesotho, marking its first UNESCO World Heritage listing and further strengthening conservation efforts within the TFCA.
