HERITAGE WEEK
VIRTUAL SEMINAR
Join the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) this Heritage Month for a dynamic four-day online webinar series that explores one of the most important questions of our time: What does the future of heritage look like in a rapidly changing world?
As society evolves and new technologies emerge, the way we understand, value, protect and manage heritage is also changing. Heritage is no longer only about preserving the past. It is increasingly about navigating the future, responding to global challenges, embracing innovation and ensuring that cultural and natural heritage remains meaningful and accessible for generations to come.
This thought-provoking webinar series will bring together heritage practitioners, researchers, policymakers, academics, students, community representatives and strategic partners to examine the forces reshaping the heritage sector. Through expert presentations, discussions and critical reflections, participants will explore how emerging technologies, climate change, urban development, shifting identities and new conservation approaches are transforming heritage practice both in South Africa and around the world.
Over four engaging sessions, the series will challenge traditional thinking, spark innovative conversations and encourage participants to imagine how heritage can remain relevant, resilient and responsive in the decades ahead.
Please find the Heritage Week Seminar Programmes below, session links included on the programme.
HERITAGE WEEK OPENING SESSION
The Heritage week opening session will commence on Tuesday morning the 15th of September. The main objective of this session is to providing some context and background, as well as to provide further details on proceedings for the week. Session speakers are presented below.
MS ELODIE SEOTSENG TLHOAELE
Council Chairperson
ADV. LUNGISA MALGAS
Chief Executive Officer
MS. MAMAKOMORENG NKHASI-LESAOANA
Executive Officer: Heritage Resources Management
HERITAGE WEEK PROGRAMME
Day 1: Redefining Heritage for Future Generations
What will we consider heritage tomorrow? As societies, technologies and landscapes transform, the boundaries of heritage are also changing. This session challenges conventional definitions of heritage and explores emerging forms of cultural memory, identity, digital heritage and living heritage that future generations may value and seek to protect.
15 September 10:00 AM – 14:00 PM
Day 2: Heritage and Emerging Technologies
Artificial intelligence, robotics, 3D technologies, remote sensing and immersive digital environments are transforming how heritage is discovered, documented, interpreted and conserved. This session explores the opportunities and ethical questions created by emerging technologies and asks what the heritage profession of the future will look like.
16 September 10:00 AM – 14:00 PM
Day 3: The Present Pressures and Future Impacts on Heritage Management in Africa
The decisions we make today will determine the heritage that survives tomorrow. Climate change, urbanisation, development, migration, heritage crime, technological disruption and changing social values are already reshaping our heritage landscape. This session examines how today’s pressures could create tomorrow’s heritage risks and challenges us to think differently about resilience, loss and conservation priorities.
17 September 10:00 AM – 14:00 PM
Day 4: Imagining Heritage in 2050
What should heritage management look like in 2050?
This final session looks beyond today’s institutions, policies and practices to imagine new possibilities for heritage in South Africa and Africa. It invites us to envision future heritage institutions, skills, policies, partnerships and approaches and to consider what we must do today to prepare for the heritage of tomorrow.
18 September 10:00 AM – 14:00 PM
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ABOUT SAHRA
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT SAHRA’S SENIOR MANAGER: HCM
BEN MWASINGA
SENIOR MANAGER: HERITAGE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT
+27 21 462 4502 / 8634
bmwasinga@sahra.org.za