The 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will deliberate on whether three South African sites achieve World Heritage status in New Delhi this week from July 21 to 31.

South Africa has put forward three nominations. Successful nominations will be protected under the World Heritage Convention and inscribed on the World Heritage List.

The nomination, titled "The Emergence of Modern Human Behaviour: The Pleistocene Occupation Sites of South Africa" highlights three critical Middle Stone Age sites that provide insight into the development of modern human behaviour. The nominated sites are Diepkloof Rock Shelter near Elands Bay and Pinnacle Point in Mossel Bay, both in the Western Cape (WC), as well as Sibudu Cave in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal.

“These sites are not only global archaeological treasures but also symbols of our resilience, creativity, and capacity for innovation. They remind us of the importance of preserving our cultural and natural heritage for future generations. It is incredible to imagine the early humans who lived in and passed through these places. I am excited about the potential for World Heritage Site status to boost tourism, economic development and enable job creation,” said Ricardo Mackenzie, WC Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport.

“The Western Cape is privileged to have such an abundance of cultural offerings and we must make full use of their significance to deepen our collective knowledge, and also harness their potential to further our economic growth to create many more jobs in this space,” said WC Premier, Alan Winde.