News

South African National Parks (SANParks) is extending the celebration of heritage to the month of October with the re-emergence of the Annual Mapungubwe Lecture Series taking place at Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site from 4 to 6 October 2024. This is the fourth Mapungubwe Lecture Series weekend hosted by SANParks.

The keynote lecture of the lecture series will be delivered by the Professor of Archaeology and Heritage Management at Great Zimbabwe University, Munyardzi Manyanga. The Professor’s topic is “Mapungubwe: The Emerging Narrative Of Southern Africa’s Earliest Civilisation And Implications For Regional Development.“ This research offers insight on the archaeology of hunter-gatherers, environmental reconstruction and heritage management. It is on the back of the Professor’s current research which focuses on the pre-colonial states of Mapela, Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe.

This year’s lecture series is an activity-packed weekend that will showcase Mapungubwe National Park’s various attractions. Guests will be transported back in time as they explore the proud history of Southern Africa’s first kingdom through a guided heritage trail and museum visit, as well as cultural performances. The Park provides both traditional tourism offerings, as well as, cultural experiences that ignite connections to the spirituality and pride in our heritage.

From seeking out Mapungubwe’s majestic baobabs to sitting down for a traditional music festival under the stars on the banks of the Limpopo River, this weekend of cultural immersion promises to be an authentic once-in-a-lifetime experience that will broaden perspectives and create a deeper appreciation of our heritage.