Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa

• Ground water pollution 
• Mining
• Surface water pollution
• Water (rain/water table)
• Climate change and severe weather events
• Acid mine drainage 
• Integrated Management plan to be finalized
• Interpretative and visitation facilities in case of concern re. additional material requested

N/A

On 1 December 2022, the State Party submitted a state of conservation report, which is available at https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/915/documents/. Progress in several conservation issues addressed by the Committee at its previous sessions is presented in this report, as follows:

• Integrated Management Plans (IMPs) have been completed for all three components of the property. An overarching IMP Framework and the individual IMPs have been submitted to the World Heritage Centre;
• Progress is reported on the development of a Risk Prevention Strategy (RPS) for the Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai and Environs (FHSSSKE) component, which will be integrated into the RPS for the entire property. Risk reduction and risk prevention interventions are continually monitored by the management and other national entities;
• Regarding Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) at the FHSSSKE component, a special committee is investigating alternatives for the Long-Term Solution (LTS). Its final report, which will identify a feasible option for the LTS, is expected soon. Following its approval by the National Treasury, the chosen option will be assessed through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The final LTS report and EIA will be submitted to the World Heritage Centre for review;
• The capacity of the current Short-Term Solution (STS) for the AMD at the FHSSSKE component is such that no decant (overspill) has occurred to date. Yet, the State Party is investigating options to increase the pumping and treatment capacity of the STS. A backup system is in place in case of decant and/ or seepage;
• With regards to bacteriological pollution at the FHSSSKE component:
  • Bacteriological pollution by coliform and E. coli persists above those common in natural environments in numerous sample locations. While these don’t hold any direct threat to the paleontological attributes, the State Party concerns about an impact of the pollution on the natural environment, the health of the local community and the aesthetic appeal of the property's natural resources,
  • Current inter-governmental discussions on the operation of one source, the Percy Stewart Waste-Water Treatment Works still continue;
• Funding for visitor facilities at the Makapan Valley component has been secured. Impact assessments will be completed and submitted to the World Heritage Centre. Further cursory information on redevelopment of the Taung Skull Fossil Site component was provided. The State Party noted its commitment to best practice in restoration and construction and to keep the Committee informed of developments.

The completion of the three IMPs for all three components, as well as the IMP Framework (IMPF) for the entire property is welcome. The IMPF and IMPs span 2022-2026 and the IMFP notes that its implementation will be monitored by the Joint Management Committee, which is not yet fully established. This establishment is envisaged for 2022/2023, and the Committee may wish to request the State Party to provide a report on both its implementation as well as making provisions for its timely review in the State Party’s next state of conservation report.

The State Party reports that the STS implemented at the second phase of the Western Basin Treatment Works remains in operation and is successful at managing AMD at the FHSSSKE component. However, it is important that a sustainable LTS is found and implemented with urgency and that the STS remains in place until an LTS is fully operational. The State Party has in the past committed to providing water quality targets as part of the LTS. The Committee may also wish to remind the State Party of its request (Decision 44 COM 7B.121) to submit the design specification and the EIA for LTS for review by the Advisory Bodies prior to implementation. It would also be useful to be provided with a report on the motivation for the selection of the preferred LTS in order to aid in the assessment thereof.

The problem of bacteriological pollution in surface water at the FHSSSKE component persists. In the previous state of conservation reports, the State Party already noted that discussions were taking place to address a major source of this pollution: the Percy Stewart Waste-Water Treatment Works. The State Party is concerned over the impacts of pollution on the attributes of the property negatively. The Committee may wish to request the State Party to urgently address this matter, including through the Memorandum of Understanding with the local municipality, as proposed in the IMP for this component.

The renovation proposals for some of the dilapidated built infrastructure in the so-called ‘Mine Complex’ of the Taung Skull Fossil Site component are welcome in principle. In this context, it should be noted that the 2015 Heritage Impact Assessment recommended that an updated masterplan for the site is essential to guide development and that the renovation of all buildings and infrastructure in the ‘Mine Complex’ should be designed to retain the historic architectural fabric and narrative. It is unclear how the proposed new use will support the historical narrative. More information on this proposal should be submitted and the State Party should again be requested to submit the 2015 Heritage Management plan/s to the World Heritage Centre and refrain from implementing these proposals until they have been reviewed by the Advisory Bodies (Decision 44 COM 7B.121).