Tanzanians have been urged to visit the Kondoa Rock Art Site to learn more about the country’s history and culture while supporting conservation and communities that depend on heritage tourism.
The call was made by Tanzania’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Saidi Othman Yakubu, during a visit to the Kondoa Rock Art Centre in Dodoma.
The visit focused on assessing the conservation of the World Heritage Site and reviewing cooperation between the Government, UNESCO and institutions responsible for managing the area.
Ambassador Yakubu said the ancient rock paintings were an important record of the lives, beliefs, activities and creativity of communities that lived in the area over generations.
“It is important for Tanzanians to visit our World Heritage Sites. By doing so, we learn our history, strengthen patriotism, support conservation and contribute to domestic tourism and the economies of communities around these sites,” he said.
He said increased domestic visitation could help Tanzanians develop a stronger connection with the country’s heritage while creating economic opportunities for communities living around the site.
During the visit, the delegation received briefings on the history and significance of the rock paintings, conservation measures and the challenges facing the site, as well as opportunities to develop it further as a heritage and tourism destination.
Ambassador Yakubu commended the Government, Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO and other stakeholders for their efforts to protect the site.
However, he stressed the need for continued investment in community participation, heritage education, research, visitor facilities and technology to improve both conservation and the visitor experience.
He also called for greater efforts to make the site more accessible and attractive to young Tanzanians, arguing that heritage education was important in ensuring that future generations understand and protect the country’s historical assets.
The ambassador was accompanied by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Tanzania National Commission for UNESCO, Dr Khamis Khalid Said, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
Dr Khamis said the commission would continue working with relevant institutions to strengthen conservation, research, education and public awareness of Tanzania’s World Heritage Sites.
He said collaboration among government institutions, local communities and other stakeholders was critical to ensuring that the sites were protected while also contributing to sustainable tourism and local economic development.
The Kondoa Rock Art Site is among Tanzania’s seven properties listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The site features an extensive collection of ancient rock paintings that provides valuable evidence of the lives, beliefs and cultural changes of communities that lived in central Tanzania over generations.
For Tanzanians, the site offers an opportunity to experience a part of the country’s history firsthand while contributing to the preservation of a heritage that has value both locally and internationally.
