Session 4 – Thebe – Sustainable community heritage tourism

Описание: The COSMO-ART Conference on Rock Art
Rock Art Site Management in Southern Africa: Towards a Cosmopolitan Approach
30 Nov. – 5 Dec. 2025, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley, South Africa

Session 4 – 5 December 2025
Phenyo Churchill Thebe (University of Botswana) – Sustainable community heritage tourism: the case of Manyana and Matsieng rock art in south-eastern Botswana

Sustainable community based cultural tourism around rock art sites involves navigating a complex web of political, social, and economic factors. Here, it is particularly true concerning Manyana and Matseing rock art sites in south-eastern Botswana. The rock art is associated with the ancestors of modern San people who are indigenous hunter gatherers communities of Southern Africa. These ‘silent’ sites offer alternative means of managing rock art beyond the common and mega sites like Tsodilo World Heritage Site. In this paper, I argue that rock art sites hold economic, cultural and historical significance for the Bahurutshe and Bakgatla Tswana communities. These are originally descendants of the dominant farmer communities. I argue that rock art is a voice and agency of the subordinate class. It is a heritage associated with subaltern and/or the underclass but is enjoyed nationally. Site museum developments have been initiated at Manyana and Matsieng. A successful tourism engagement project has potential to develop rock art tourism in south-eastern Botswana as a package to the emerging cultural heritage festivals and archaeo-heritage sites. Despite this potential, presenting rock art that in-situ at the sites encounters a series natural and human threat. Several ideas are advanced to solve these obstacles including advocating for fully developed museums, replicas, exhibitions and digital platform of presenting rock art as part public archaeology and cultural tourism. The long term benefits of the project will be to develop methodological approaches for researchers and heritage practitioners to form the cornerstone for the implementation of sustainable rock art management. This imperative of sustainable management is crucial in south-eastern Botswana where there are efforts to diversify tourism beyond premier tourism areas in northern Botswana.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this talk are those of the speakers and are based on their scientific research. They do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the conference organisers.