Rock Art Documentation and Education Project

The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park (UDP) administered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) has recently been declared a World Heritage Site (UDP-WHS) and is regarded as one of the finest resources internationally for rock art. KwaZulu-Natal is also the most densely populated and one of the most impoverished provinces in Southern Africa. There are an estimated 40,000 paintings at some 550 sites in the Drakensberg, dating back thousands of years. The history is well documented but inaccessible to many. Sensitive heritage material needs to be protected, but first documented to ensure a record remains intact. The Mnweni Valley area and the neighboring valleys of Okhombe, Busingatha and Obonjaneni, which stretch to the summit of the Drakensberg, are customary tenure lands. These areas are the only sections of the KZN Drakensberg which do not fall within the UDP-WHS, but they are, nonetheless, an integral component of the Drakensberg mountains and share common boundaries with the UDP-WHS. These customary tenure lands contain an additional 120 rock art sites to those mentioned above but have suffered from historical neglect and have not had the massive institutional support from which the UDP has benefited.

Project Location:

The project is located in the northern Drakensberg between Royal Natal National Park in the north and Cathedral Peak Conservation Area in the south. The Mnweni Triangle area falls within the AmaNgwane Traditonal Authority area while the neighbouring Busingatha, Okhombe and Obonjaneni areas fall within the AmaZizi Traditional Authority. Both Traditional Authority areas fall under the jurisdiction of the Ingonyama Trust. The Mnweni - AmaZizi and the Busingatha, Okhombe, Tugela and associated valleys (Obonjaneni) are located in the uKhahlamba Magisterial District, between Cathedral Peak and the Royal Natal National Park section of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage Site (WHS). The Mnweni, Busingatha and Tugela valleys are particularly large and penetrate deep into the mountains, right up to the Lesotho border. These mountain areas are of customary land tenure and are regarded as one of the most important high water catchments of the Drakensberg. At present the AmaNgwane and AmaZizi areas have been excluded from the WHS on account of their lack of official management structure. This is despite their obvious wealth of cultural and natural resources, biodiversity on a par with that of the UDP, not to mention the critical geographical location of this vast mountain region. Historical neglect has made the area inaccessible for many decades but recent work with the local communities needs to be built on and form a vital component of this project.

Project Age Limit:

Minimum 17 years.

The Rock Art Documentation and Education Project

There are still a variety of institutions and organizations that hold and safeguard hard copy elements of this national treasure and heritage. There have been numerous methods of doing so over the ages such as hand written recording, photographs, slides and life size tracings. One of the problems that such a collection poses is that it is very difficult to give access to the general public. Another threat is that of destruction of the collection. The material is bulky and difficult to store and expensive protection methods are needed to safeguard these collections. Should any one of these collections be destroyed for any reason it would be a major blow to our heritage.

As technology moves forwards other more appropriate methods of capturing, storing and presenting this valuable data is being presented to us. The development of a vastly expanded digital database and a web based GIS require that all known sites (some not visited since the 1970's) be re-documented and assessed including such methodologies as digital photography, 360° digital video, accurate GPS mapping of site locations and management planning. The Natal Museum holds the new database and the web based GIS will reside at the Natal Museum when complete for this area.

Project Objectives

The Project's four key objectives are, namely:

1. To digitally document, archive and map all the rock art sites within the following mountain areas of the AmaNgwane and AmaZizi Traditional Authority areas: Mabhulesini, Manzana, Khokwane (the "Mnweni Triangle") and Obonjaneni, Busingatha and Okhombe.

2. To develop and populate a web based Geographical Information System (GIS) of all the rock art and archaeological sites in the Mnweni Valley and adjacent areas.

3. To employ local community members already trained in rock art custodianship and guiding to assist the professional field team.

4. On the request of local schools and Community Rock Art Monitoring Groups to implement a rock art appreciation programme for the learners of the local communities as a key to long term survival of the rock art in the area.

Your Role as a Volunteer

You will join our field archaeological team and assist them with the documentation of the existing rock art as well as explore for new, previously unrecorded, rock art and archaeological sites. Once you have gained an understanding and appreciation of the rock art you will conduct other valuable conservation work in the area such as:

• Building of shepherds huts with the local community so that mountain shepherds no longer have to use shelters containing rock art, thus preserving the rock art from major human and animal impact.
• Assist with erosion gully rehabilitation works
• Development of eco-tourism initiatives in the area such as a hiking way and hiking overnight huts.
• General management tasks as decided by the management team.

Project Support

Throughout your stay on the project you will have the support of the field manager and archaeologist as well as the African Conservation Trust management team.

Project Orientation

On your first full day you will be given a comprehensive orientation by the project manager, or one of the project coordinators. The orientation will include:

• An introduction to Zulu culture and values
• Basic local language lessons
• Your health and safety whilst on the project
• An introduction to the area, the rock art project and the staff
• Local food and practices
• Places to visit and things to do in your free time
• Excursions Project Accommodation and Meals

This is a camping/hiking project and volunteers are required to supply their own tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags. You need to have a fair fitness level and previous hiking experience is an added benefit. Your project fee includes camping costs and food. You will be based at one of the two commu nity visitor centres in the area you are working in. You will spend time out in the mountains with either the archaeological team or the local community building teams.

Leisure Activities

Any leaisure time can be spent exploring the local mountians and rivers with a local guide or experiencing the Zulu culture.

Getting There

You will fly into Durban International Airport where you will be met by a project representative. You will then be transported by road to the project location. A full day of volunteer orientation will take place.

Project Dates

Project dates for 2008 are:

From March 2008 onwards. You may arrive and depart on days that suit you.

Project Costs

4 weeks £950

Project Cost Includes:

• Airport transfers to and from Durban International Airport
• Orientation on arrival
• All accommodation during your stay (camping)
• Full support and assistance from your coordinator throughout your time in South Africa
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day.

Project Cost Excludes:

• All flights
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Any extra nights of accommodation before or after the agreed project start or end dates
• All items of a personal nature, such as curios, gifts, clothing.
• Email/Internet (very limited to no opportunity during the project) and telephone calls
• Soft drinks, beer, wines and spirits
• Any excursions over and above your planned itinerary in South Africa