Brandberg Mountain's World Heritage Listing Sparks Local Job Demands

The iconic Brandberg Mountain could soon be inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is after the National Heritage Council of Namibia (NHC) submitted a nomination dossier for the site’s inclusion on the World Heritage List. The announcement was made during a high-level stakeholder engagement held yesterday at the Windhoek Country Club and Casino, where the council outlined the significance of the nomination and the process involved. Speaking at the event, education minister Sanet Steenkamp described the initiative as a critical step in preserving Namibia’s cultural and natural heritage, urging Namibians to take pride in the process. “This intervention empowers Namibian heritage practitioners to take ownership of heritage conservation and nomination processes, reinforcing our long-term ability to safeguard and promote sites of outstanding universal value,” Steenkamp said. She highlighted that the Dâures/Brandberg National Monument Area is internationally recognised for its remarkable geological formations, geomorphological significance, natural beauty, biodiversity and exceptional archaeological heritage. “To protect this unique natural and cultural landscape, the site was proclaimed a National Monument in 1951 and was placed on Namibia’s UNESCO Tentative List in 2002,” she added. Namibia currently has two sites inscribed on the World Heritage List, namely Twyfelfontein/Ui //aes, listed in 2007, and the Namib Sand Sea, listed in 2013. NHC chairperson Una Ferreira described the nomination as a historic milestone for the country. “For the first time, our nation has prepared a nomination dossier through the dedicated efforts of our staff, who have been trained, mentored and capacitated to carry this work forward,” Ferreira said. “This achievement reflects Namibia’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage and building local expertise and ownership in the protection of sites of outstanding universal value,” she added. If approved, the World Heritage status would see Brandberg gain global recognition as a symbol of national identity and pride, while ensuring its long-term conservation and protection. The designation is also expected to attract increased scientific interest and tourism. However, concerns were raised about the potential impact of the development on local livelihoods, particularly among residents who rely on small-scale gemstone mining in the area for survival. Addressing the gathering, National Council member and Dâures constituency councillor Inecia Brandt urged the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise local communities during implementation. “We know families who have lived in this area for years and survive through small-scale mining. With this development, their livelihoods could be at risk. We are pleading with the government to prioritise these locals by employing them at the site, as they have extensive knowledge of the area,” Brandt said. Echoing similar sentiments, senior traditional councillor of the Dâures Daman Traditional Authority, Herman! Naruseb said community members should be central to any recruitment or skills development initiatives linked to the site. “This is a positive development, but it is important that locals are educated and provided with skills so they can work at the site. Their livelihoods should not be threatened by conservation efforts!” Naruseb said.