THE AFRICAN WORLD HERITAGE FUND

QUARTERLY REVIEW

January – March 2016

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NEW APPOINTMENTS - AWHF PATRONS

In March 2016, AWHF was honoured to have the former Presidents of Namibia, H.E Hifikepunye

Pohamba and Cabo Verde H.E Pedro Verona Rodrigues Pires as Patrons of the Fund. The appointment is

part of an ongoing effort by the Fund to strengthen its operations on the continent thus, the presence of

eminent personalities is an invaluable contribution to the promotion and conservation of Africa’s

Heritage. Other patrons include Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko (South Africa) and Dr. Christina Cameron

(Canada).

NEW APPOINTMENTS - AWHF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

In February 2016, following recommendations by

the AWHF Board of Trustees, the Minister of

Arts and Culture, South Africa appointed Dr

Lalla Aïcha Ben Barka (Mali), Mr Abdellah

Salih Alaoui (Morocco), Dr Yonas Desta

Tsegaye (Ethiopia) as the new Board of Trustees.

Ms. Lalla Aïcha is the former Assistant

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION “To ensure that the mission and objectives of the African World Heritage Fund are achieved by

consolidating institutional Capacities”.

(Left-Right) H.E Hifikepunye Pohamba, H.E Pedro Pires, Dr. Christina Cameron and Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko

(Left-Right) Dr Lalla Aïcha (Mali), Dr Yonas Desta (Ethiopia) and Mr Abdellah Alaoui (Morocco).

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Director-General for UNESCO’s Africa

Department (2010 – 2015). She will represent the

West Africa region. Dr Aicha replaces Dr. Gauze

Martine (Cote d'Ivoire). Mr. Abdellah Alaoui,

the Director of Cultural Heritage at the Ministry

of Culture, Morocco was appointed to represent

the North Africa region. Mr. Alaoui replaces Dr,

Mourad Betrouni (Algeria). Dr Yonas Desta, the

Director General at the Authority for Research

and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ARCCH

-Ethiopia) will represent the East Africa region.

He replaces Dr. Mary Khimulu (Kenya). The

outgoing Board members have served the

maximum period of 4 years.

NEW STAFF AT AWHF

AWHF is pleased to welcome Mr Thomas de Block from Belgium

who joined the Fund in February 2016 on a six months internship

supported by the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs through

the Flanders Trainee Programme. AWHF and Flanders have signed

a three year agreement (2015 – 2018) at which the Flanders

Department of Foreign Affairs will second staff to AWHF to

support the Fund’s operations. Mr de Block is a communication

specialist with previous experience in the private automotive sector.

In January the Fund hired, a Consultant, Ms Luyanda Sithole from South

Africa to support the preparations of the AWHF 10th Anniversary events.

With vast experience in Events planning and management Ms. Sithole has

worked with various organizations and implemented a number of high

profile events.

(Left) - Ms Luyanda Sithole - Consultant (Events Specialist)

Mr Thomas de Block - Communication officer

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WORKSHOP ON RISK PREPAREDNESS AT WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTIES

From 19th February to 3rd March, Namibia

hosted a workshop on Risk preparedness at

World Heritage properties at the Brandberg

National Monument (Namibia), thanks to the

financial support by the Norwegian Ministry of

Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands

(Netherlands Funds-in-Trust to UNESCO). The

workshop was organized in partnership with

the African World Heritage Fund, UNESCO

(World Heritage Centre), the School of African

Heritage (EPA) and the National Heritage

Council of Namibia. The workshop was

attended by nineteen (19) participants from

Namibia, Ethiopia, South Africa, Kenya,

Tanzania, Malawi and Botswana as well as a representative from the African Union Commission

CONSERVATION OF HERITAGE PLACES “To ensure improved management and conservation of World Heritages in Africa through

participation of all stakeholders including local communities”

Participants – Risk preparedness workshop, Brandberg Namibia

Field session, Risk preparedness workshop

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in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. The workshop aimed

to increase the preparedness of heritage sites

through the development of risk management

plans, mitigation strategies and to enhance the

knowledge, build the capacity, and raise the

awareness of heritage practitioners on risk

preparedness. Key issues relating to climate

change, management of invasive species,

legislative frameworks, geographic information

systems and mitigation strategies and responses

were discussed. The workshop also provided the

opportunity to strengthen the risk preparedness

network of World Heritage Sites in Africa

Results – Seven (7) World Heritage Sites and one

property inscribed on the Tentative List are in

the process of developing risk management

plans – Okavango Delta (Botswana), Fort Jesus

(Kenya), Simien Mountains National Park

(Ethiopia), Lake Malawi National Park (Malawi),

Twyfelfontein, Namib Sand Sea, Brandberg

National Heritage Site (Namibia), Robben Island

(South Africa), Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and

Songo Mnara (Tanzania). The Chairperson of the

National Heritage Council of Namibia, Ms.

Esther Goagoses presided over the closing

ceremony. Among those present at the closing

ceremony included the Governor of the Erongo

Region, Hon. Kleophas Mutjivikua, the UNESCO

Representative Mr. Boyson Ngondo, the Director

of AWHF, Dr Webber Ndoro and the Minister of

Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia, Hon.

Katrina Hanse-Himarwa.

Closing ceremony, (Left –Right) Mr. April (Director, National Heritage Council, Namibia), Dr. Webber Ndoro

(Director, AWHF), Hon. Katrina Hanse-Himarwa (Minister of Education, Arts and Culture of Namibia) and

Hon. Anna Hipondoka Deputy Minsiter of Education, Arts and Culture.

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AWHF AND IUCN SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AT WORLD

HERITAGE PROPERTIES IN WEST AND CENTRAL AFRICA

The AWHF and IUCN signed a three year agreement

(2016-2018) to support activities to improve the

management of World Heritage properties and to

encourage entrepreneurship of communities living in

and around natural properties in West and Central

Africa.

IUCN launched the project at the beginning of March

2016 with the development of case studies on the

sustainable financing and socioeconomic value in W

National Park in Niger and Djoudj National Park in

Senegal.

The ongoing studies have identified activities related

to tourism such as eco-guiding, accommodation and

restaurants to the production of artisanal products

from items such as local traditional plants. However,

the research has highlighted major challenges faced by

the local people such as the scarcity of raw materials,

the access to financing, the need for capacity building,

poor marketing of products, and lack of promotion and

certification of local products.

The support of the AWHF will contribute to

reinforcing the technical capacities and equipment of

the local communities in order to develop the local

craft traditions and improve their livelihoods.

Mat made from sporobolus

Women of Djoudj Park working on sporobolus

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AWHF AT THE AFRICAN YOUNG GRADUATES AND SCHOLARS

(AYGS2016) CONFERENCE

The 10th edition of the AYGS conference was held at the University of Limpopo, South Africa from the

14 – 17th March 2016 under the theme ‘The Africa we want’ from the African Union Agenda 2063. The

conference focused on culture with its many aspects and dimensions, and the role that culture plays in

sustainable development, peace and good governance, as well as integration on the continent. The

AWHF partnered with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) to facilitate the attendance of

participants from Botswana and Ethiopia. The conference was opened with a Keynote address by the

AWHF Director, Dr Webber Ndoro who presented the concept of World Heritage and the role of the

community as drivers of change. The AWHF also hosted an exhibition to provide information about

the work of AWHF.

PARTNERSHIPS, COMMUNICATIONS

AND EVENTS

(Left- right) AWHF exhibition, Dr. Webber Ndoro (centre) addressing participants at AYGS conference Field

session, Risk preparedness workshop

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AWHF MISSION TO TURKEY

The AWHF delegation visited Istanbul and Ankara as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen relationships with AWHF partners as well as to develop new relationships with Turkish authorities at various levels. Dr. Webber Ndoro the Director of the Fund led the delegation of representatives from the Department of Arts and Culture – DAC (South Africa) and AWHF Board member representative from Algeria.

Several meetings were held mainly at the head offices of the South African Embassy in Turkey, the Turkish National Commission of UNESCO, the General Directorate of Foundations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Directorate General for Cultural Affairs, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipally and the Yildiz Technical University/Faculty of Architecture of Istanbul.

At the meetings the partners reiterated a strong will to collaborate with AWHF in its mandate to champion World Heritage issues in Africa. AWHF has proposed several programmes to Turkey for consideration specifically on nominations of sites to the World Heritage List and risk preparedness. A partnership agreement between DAC and the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism was also discussed. AWHF expresses its gratitude to the Turkish embassies in South Africa and at UNESCO as well as the South African Embassy in Turkey for

their role in facilitating the mission.

Meeting with the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), Ankara chaired by, Prof M.

Ocal Oguz, Chairperson of the NATCOM.

Meeting with the Director General of Foundations, Ankara. The meeting was chaired by Dr Adnan

Ertem, the Director General

(Left-Right) Mr Huseyin Tok, Head of the Department of Cultural Assets Conservation Istanbul

Metropolitan Municipality and Dr. Webber Ndoro, Director AWHF

Meeting at Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

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AWHF EXHIBITS AT THE FRANCOPHONE FESTIVAL, ALLIANCE

FRANÇAISE, PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA

On the 12th March 2016, the Alliance Française in Pretoria, South Africa organized the 7th Francophonie Festival exhibition. The festival is a platform to Embassies and various institutions to promote cultural and linguistic diversity. This year, the participating countries included Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Canada, Comoros, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Mali, France, Gabon, Guinea, Lebanon, Madagascar, Niger, Seychelles, Senegal, Switzerland and Tunisia. The AWHF exhibited publications and promotional material that were used to inform visitors on the work of the Fund and increase awareness. We thank Alliance Française for their continuous support.

AWHF AND SOCIAL MEDIA

The frequentation on AWHF Facebook and Twitter pages has increased from 2,060 to 2,329 users between January and March 2016. In that period, the twitter audience size has increased from 333 to 386. With 53 more than the same time 3 months ago, the twitter account has gained around 1 new follower per day. The top twitter users come from South Africa (19%), United

AWHF Francophonie Festival exhibition,

Pretoria, South Africa

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States (12%), United Kingdom (12%), Kenya (6%) and Nigeria (5%). 51% of twitter followers are male and 49% are female. In the same period, the Facebook frequentation has grown from 1,735 to 1,943. 58.72% of the visitors are from African countries. The top visitors come from South Africa (215), Egypt (108), USA (96), Morocco (75), Italy (63), Nigeria (67) and France (59). 49% of fans on Facebook are female which corresponds globally to the worldwide tendency. The figure below shows the trend of frequentation on Facebook from January to March 2016, especially the “likes” (blue) versus “I don’t like” (pink) showing users who decided to unfollow the Facebook page. The blue line represents the net amount. There is a significant raise in March with three peaks corresponding to when the AWHF has something to “offer”, such as “call for papers” or “internship opportunities”.

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CONTRIBUTIONS FROM STATE PARTIES AND PARTNERS

The Fund would like to thank the Governments of

Norway and South Africa for the generous support to

its operations and activities on the continent.

In March 2016 the Department of Arts and Culture

(South Africa (DAC) contributed 1.7 Million Rands to the

African World Heritage Fund towards the Operations

costs.

Mozambique Island

In February 2016, the Norwegian Ministry of foreign

Affairs contributed 290,000 USD to the Fund. The

amount is part of the core-funding following an

agreement between AWHF and the Norwegian Ministry

of Foreign Affairs.

Namib Sand Sea (Namibia)

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AWHF 10TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS OF

PROMOTING AFRICA’S HERITAGE

AWHF 10TH ANNIVESARY EVENTS

Regional Youth Forum on “Youth and World Heritage in Africa, 28th April – 4th May 2016, Robben Island, South Africa

African World Heritage…Thinking Ahead’ Seminar,

3rd-4th May 2016, Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

The 10th Anniversary Night of African Legends, 5 May

2016 Cradle of Humankind, South Africa

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Robben Island (South Africa)

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African World Heritage Youth Forum, 28th April-4th May 2016

The Youth Forum will take place from the

28th April to the 4th May 2016 at the Robben

Island World Heritage Site. The forum is

organized in partnership with the UNESCO

World Heritage Centre and Robben Island

Museum. The forum will address young

people and seek to provide a sustainable

platform for youth in Africa that could

increase the involvement of African youth in

World Heritage, and also deliver essential

feedback to UNESCO, the World Heritage

Committee and the African World Heritage Fund

(AWHF) on youth challenges, accomplishments and

actions related to the implementation of the World

Heritage Convention in the region. 27 participants

from Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, The

Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi,

Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria,

Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South-Africa, Sudan,

Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been

selected to participate in the forum.

‘African World Heritage…Thinking Ahead’ Seminar, 3rd-4th May 2016

The seminar on ‘African World

Heritage…Thinking Ahead’ will take place

from the 3rd-4th May 2016 at the Fossil

Hominid Sites of South Africa World

Heritage Site in close collaboration with the

South African Government. The seminar

aims to reflect on the past and future of the

African World Heritage. The discussion will

focus on the achievements and the challenges

since 2006 and most importantly explore

new targets for the next ten years. The

thematic areas of the seminar include: (1)

Harmonising heritage conservation and

development initiatives, (2) Enhancing the role of

private sector, civil society and local communities,

(3) World Heritage in armed (post) conflicts

regions, (4) Effects and management of climate

change, an African perspective? (5) World Heritage,

urbanization and sustainable cities (6) Capacity

building strategies for World Heritage in Africa.

The seminar will bring together 60 participants

from all over the African continent and beyond,

including all the key partners of the AWHF over the

last 10 years.