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Newswise — The at the University of Pretoria (UP), in partnership with the (NHC) and the (DSAC) in the Namakwa District, proudly hosted the successful launch of the Heritage and Museum Skills Short Programme on 13 April 2025 at campus.

The launch marks a significant milestone in the University’s ongoing commitment to heritage preservation, land restitution, community engagement and university transformation. The initiative, driven by of UP’s , positions young South Africans at the forefront of reshaping narratives around heritage, displacement, cultural identity, oral traditions and the reclamation of indigenous knowledge systems.

Developed in close collaboration with , CEO of the NHC, Dr Mirriam Tawane (NHC) and Mr Avron Thomas, District Head of DSAC Namakwa, the short programme was designed to address the urgent need for critical heritage skills across South Africa.

Twelve participants from the Northern Cape, Gauteng, and North West provinces were selected to embark on this transformative journey. The programme combines digital coursework with intensive fieldwork, examining key themes such as:

• The meaning of heritage in a post-apartheid society
• The role of land restitution in restoring dignity
• The significance of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites
• The preservation of sites affected by displacement and mining activities

Speaking at the launch, Professor O’Connell emphasised that heritage work must be grounded in social justice: “At its heart, this programme is about creating access. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and deep community engagement, we are trying to level the playing field for young people who might not have otherwise had the opportunity to study at the University of Pretoria, or contribute meaningfully to the heritage and tourism landscape.”

Professor O’Connell’s latest work continues to push the boundaries of heritage studies in South Africa. Her recent projects explore the intersections of memory, land restitution, and community-based heritage practices, with a particular focus on amplifying the voices of marginalised communities. Her leadership in groundbreaking initiatives and her critical interdisciplinary research puts heritage at the intersection of social justice and societal reform. Her work informs the vision and content of the Heritage and Museum Skills Short Programme and highlights the transformative possibilities of working with government and civil society. This alignment underscores her broader commitment to ensuring that heritage work fosters real social change rather than merely preserving the status quo.

The programme also aims to create future opportunities for participants by equipping them with practical skills that are in demand within the heritage, museum, and cultural sectors. The upskilling provided through this programme is intended to enhance participants’ access to heritage-related career pathways, internships, and project-based work across the country.

Nandipha Bhengu, from the Directorate of Protected Multilateral Areas Programmes at the , highlighted the vital role of community engagement in the preservation of heritage sites. She expressed the Department’s interest in being actively involved in the programme moving forward.

“Our Heritage has been dismantled. We’re starting to strategise on ways to curb what has happened and preserve what is still left. We are in dire need of interventions such as this partnership, which gives knowledge on how to preserve what we have,” said Mr Avron Thomas, District Head of DSAC Namakwa.

Participants will continue their learning through a three-day residency at UP’s Future Africa, followed by a field trip to the internationally renowned Cradle of Humankind, a celebrated as one of the richest hominin fossil sites in the world. They will also travel to the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised globally for its unique biodiversity and as a living testament to the Nama people's traditional pastoralist culture.

These landmark visits will allow participants to engage first-hand with globally significant heritage sites that speak to human origins, resilience, and the ongoing struggles for land and cultural survival.

Zenaphon Fredericks, a participant in the programme, said: “My long-term goal is to preserve the heritage site in our area; there has been a lot of vandalism; we need to do things right. Protect it for the future generations.”

The launch event was attended by representatives from national departments, heritage institutions, and members of the academic community. It affirmed UP’s role as a leader in creating pathways for marginalized communities to access heritage education and influence the future of university transformation.

“The Heritage landscape is changing, and this partnership with UP allows us to expose the marginalised to heritage management,” said Dr Miriam Tawane, Acting General Manager of the NHC.

The Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria, home to the only master’s programme in Tangible Heritage Conservation and Preservation in sub-Saharan Africa, continues to innovate by aligning its academic mission with the pressing needs of South African society.

This pioneering programme stands as a model for how the humanities can drive healing, restore dignity, and create new possibilities for communities historically excluded from the spaces where heritage is preserved and interpreted.