An evaluation of the role of the cultural-heritage industry in the economy of South Africa

• Main Authors: Jabulani C. Nyawo, Pfano Mashau
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AfricaJournals 2019-09-01
• Series: African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
• Subjects: heritage; tourism; legislation; local economic development
• Online Access: https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_7_vol_8_5__2019_ukzn.pdf

Globally, societies have several things that is regarded as vital to reserve for upcoming generations. Cultural heritage resources are important due to their contribution to the current economic value and there is some indication that the future generations might benefit from it. Furthermore, it is vital because they generate a certain feeling or excitement within the society, or because they make the society feel different from other nations. In South Africa, cultural heritage includes several structures such as art and crafts products, traditional food and houses, statues, temples, traditional festival, military museums, history museums and events amongst others. In the past years, the National Department of Arts and Culture has instigated numerous legacy projects to honour noticeable liberation struggle icons through either monuments, statues, museums, or naming of buildings and areas with their names. While the national department of Arts and Culture plays such imminent role, on other hand, the role of municipalities in promoting the cultural heritage is not clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the economic value of promotion and preservation of the heritage industry in South Africa. This desktop study underlines that cultural heritage can be powerful tool to improve the tourism sector at large. The findings suggest that the tourism-heritage is an important industry towards tourism, and it is not prioritised enough in South Africa. This is due to the lack of strategies to promote the tourismheritage industry, and promote local economic development. Thus, the study recommends an integrative approach among the tourism stakeholders for working together in promoting and developing the tourism-heritage industry.