Supervisors: Dr Nico Botes; Prof Chrisna du Plessis
Research Field: Heritage Conservation and Regenerative Design
Keywords: Archeology, Heritage Conservation, Sustainable Design, Bio-based Materials, Community Engagement
Abstract
Emgwenya, a town nestled along the Mpumalanga escarpment, hosts archaeological sites of profound historical and cultural significance. The Bokoni stone circle ruins form the heart of the archaeological narrative in Emgwenya and the wider Mpumalanga escarpment. Far from isolated phenomena, these ruins comprise one of Southern Africa’s most extensive precolonial landscapes, with over 20,000 recently identified stone-walled settlements, making this the largest concentration of such ruins in South Africa. The density and scale of these ruins are unparalleled in South Africa, yet they remain largely unrecognised as formal heritage sites. These ruins face growing threats from neglect, flooding risks, and fragmented research, risking the loss of irreplaceable heritage. This project proposes an archaeological research and interpretation centre in Emgwenya, aimed at uniting scattered archaeological data into a central hub to raise awareness of the site’s cultural richness. The centre will serve two main goals: integrating resources through coordinated research and promoting experiential tourism to enhance engagement and economic opportunity. Additionally, the centre will serve academics, students, and educators from institutions like Nkangala TVET College and the Universities of Pretoria and Mpumalanga, supporting education and local hospitality training. The local Emgwenya community – youth, artisans, and families – will benefit from educational and employment opportunities and remain cultural custodians. The centre will provide educational and informative spaces designed to enrich visitors’ experiences while engaging with the ruins in the surrounding landscape. This will be achieved through exhibition spaces, guided tours, and interactive seminar workshops. The primary client is the Mpumalanga Department of Arts, Culture & Heritage, charged with preserving the local heritage. Heritage Contracts and Archaeological Consulting (HCAC) will provide archaeological expertise, while the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) will ensure ecological sustainability. In addition, collaboration with Sappi’s Ngodwana Paper Mill will enable the use of bio-composites from repurposed agricultural waste in construction. Designed with bio-based materials and guided by regenerative design principles, the centre will not only preserve archaeological findings but actively generate ecological, social, and cultural value, anchoring it as a sustainable research and education landmark.
