Session 4 – Shiningayamwe – Participation and preservation

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
Agnes S.M. Shiningayamwe (International University of Management) – Participation and preservation: managing stakeholder dynamics at Twyfelfontein or /Ui //aes World Heritage Site, Namibia

This paper examines the complexities inherent in managing rock art heritage, focusing on the Twyfelfontein /Ui //aes World Heritage Property in Namibia. Despite the presence of community-based tourism initiatives such as craft shops, observational and interview data indicate minimal community involvement in broader heritage-management and decision-making processes. A lack of formal regulatory frameworks exacerbates these issues, resulting in fragmented collaboration among governmental bodies, private sectors, and local communities. Quantitative data further underline these challenges, revealing mixed results regarding stakeholder participation: only 37.3% of community survey respondents confirmed active involvement in heritage activities, closely matched by 34.9% reporting no engagement at all. Approximately 27.7% expressed confusion or uncertainty concerning their role, highlighting significant gaps in clarity and communication.
Interview evidence strongly reinforces these findings, revealing feelings of exclusion among local representatives, who emphasized the absence of effective platforms for raising community concerns. Stakeholders advocated for formalized Joint Management Committees (JMCs), routine stakeholder meetings, and integrative management approaches. They further recommended the inclusion of community representatives at strategic decision-making levels to enhance transparency and responsiveness.
Grounded in the principles of UNESCO’s 1972 Convention, which underscores the imperative of inclusive community participation in heritage management, this study demonstrates that effective and sustainable management of rock art heritage requires dismantling structural and political obstacles through the development of participatory governance frameworks. Such frameworks should integrate Indigenous knowledge systems, prioritize the equitable distribution of benefits to local communities, and foster coordination across multiple sectors.

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.