The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with the National Heritage Council (NHC) and South African National Parks (SANParks), hosted the 17th annual Heritage Education School Outreach Programme (HESOP) camp at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Maropeng, Gauteng, from 28 September to 2 October 2026. The weeklong programme brought together heritage practitioners, government officials, educators, and high school learners from all nine provinces, creating a national platform for learning, cultural exchange, and youth development.
HESOP seeks to strengthen learners’ understanding and appreciation of South Africa’s heritage by extending learning beyond the classroom. The programme encourages young people to explore their identity, human origins, conservation, and preservation, while developing a sense of responsibility towards the country’s cultural and natural heritage. The Cradle of Humankind provided an appropriate setting because of its rich fossil record, significance in understanding human evolution, biodiversity and conservation, and its contribution to the broader African story.
The programme enabled learners and educators to experience heritage sites directly, exchange knowledge and build relationships with participants from other provinces. Ms Jill Bunding, SANParks General Manager for Socio-Economic Transformation, explained the organisation’s role in conservation and community development. She highlighted SANParks’ three key pillars: conservation, socio-economic transformation, and tourism. She emphasised that initiatives such as HESOP are important for developing future environmental and conservation ambassadors who can promote awareness in schools and communities.
DBE’s Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education, Mr Likho Bottoman, encouraged learners to regard their participation as part of their broader personal development. He stressed that success should not be defined only by completing matric or achieving strong results in subjects such as mathematics and science. Learners were encouraged to value experiences, relationships, opportunities, and life skills that can contribute to their long-term success.
Dr Mirriam Tawani of the NHC explained that HESOP was established to address gaps in heritage education and documentation, particularly among schools with limited resources. The programme provides learners from rural and disadvantaged communities with opportunities to access heritage sites and educational resources comparable to those available to learners in urban areas. It also exposes learners to career opportunities in the heritage sector and seeks to benefit learners, families, and communities.
Ms Marjorie Mashiane of the DBE labelled educators as “workers of the mind,” emphasising their responsibility to support learners’ academic, social and physical development. She also highlighted the importance of national and provincial symbols, including the South African Flag and National Coat of Arms. Participants were encouraged to understand and preserve these symbols and to observe proper protocol when reciting the Constitution’s Preamble and singing the National and African Union Anthems. She stressed the importance of actively promoting these traditions rather than relying solely on recorded versions.
The national competitions were another highlight of the programme. The Mpumalanga Province emerged as the overall winner, receiving laptops and the first-place trophy. The Northern Cape secured second place and received tablets, whilst Limpopo finished third and received cellphones. The Eastern Cape, placed fourth, also received cellphones.
In closing, Advocate Tshepo Maake, Acting CEO of the NHC, thanked all partners for their contribution to advancing heritage education. He recognised the Cradle of Humankind as an important source of knowledge about human origins and expressed appreciation to SANParks for providing learners with opportunities to experience protected heritage sites.
Overall, the 2026 HESOP camp demonstrated the importance of integrating education, heritage, conservation and youth development. Through practical experiences, knowledge sharing and cross-provincial engagement, the programme continues to help young South Africans understand their origins, appreciate their heritage, and become responsible custodians of the country’s cultural and natural resources.