As 2020 progresses and the world adapts to the unusual circumstances presented by a global pandemic, the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies (DHHS) and the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) reflected on the unique challenges faced by heritage practitioners and the resultant mitigations.  Although in a different format (webinar), SAHRA and DHHS this month hosted their annual collaborative Heritage Month seminar to reflect on practices in the heritage and tourism sectors that had to be adapted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown. On 22 September 2020, participating speakers from the SAHRA, the DHHS, the University of Pretoria (UP) Museums, the National Heritage Council (NHC), the Voortrekker Monument (VTM), the National Department of Tourism (NDT), South African National Parks (SANParks) and the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) shared their experiences during a ZOOM Webinar while heeding the necessary public health measures.

Pandemic-related obstacles to heritage conservation, in addition to the existing challenges, were insightfully discussed by Dr Sian Tiley-Nel (Head of the UP Museums), who stated that ‘a university museum is lonely without its community’. This clearly emphasised the integrated and important relationship between the heritage and tourism sectors reflected by activities during the current Heritage and Tourism Month. Other challenges highlighted by presenters include the psychological and sociocultural effects that working remotely has on staff members, the disconnect from our heritage and the inability to adequately celebrate some of its aspects, the disruption of certain intangible heritage practices, an increased risk to heritage due to remote conservation practices, the redirection of heritage funding into disaster relief and the loss of tourist income and the resultant negative multipliers.

Although the global pandemic affects our lives, livelihoods, the social and cultural fabric of our society and the management of our heritage resources, in the words of Adv Lungisa Malgas (SAHRA CEO) who opened the webinar, ‘cultural heritage has been proven to be a powerful means for coping by providing communities with psychosocial support’. Even in these very trying circumstances, speakers illustrated their continued commitment to heritage conservation and tourism engagements by implementing various creative mitigating practices, such as classifying heritage conservation as an essential service; organising virtual tours and meetings; offering online educational courses and other digital engagement practices; involving and assisting communities living close to heritage sites; and innovatively  using satellite technology to monitor certain immediate risks, such as forest fires in the proximity of heritage sites. Participants further indicated that, to enhance future operations, some of these practices may be continued as we gradually return to our former activities.

The event also instigated a discussion about the possibilities and implications of virtual versus physical experiences of heritage and related ramifications. Participants indicated an enhanced awareness of the use of virtual experiences to supplement physical experiences as a result of our current circumstances. However, concerns were raised regarding the security of heritage, authenticity and income generation, which will be  further discussed during a future debate.

It is clear that our committed, creative and tireless heritage practitioners can overcome a number of challenges to heritage management to preserve our heritage and maintain our connection with these precious resources.

Enjoy your Heritage Day!