The Dâures/Brandberg national monument area is tipped to be added to the world heritage site listing.
This was confirmed by minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp on Wednesday.
The ministry is awaiting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s world heritage sitw committee’s decision, which is expected by July 2027.
- “I am pleased to announce that we have officially submitted a comprehensive nomination dossier to Unesco for the Dâures/Brandberg national monument area to be added to the world heritage list,” Steenkamp revealed in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The submission, completed on 29 January, successfully met the international deadline of 1 February, Steenkamp said.
This demonstrates Namibia’s commitment to excellence and timely engagement in global heritage processes.
The nomination follows the formal approval of Cabinet on 23 September 2025, marking a carefully coordinated national effort.
The nomination was made possible through a strategic partnership with the African World Heritage Fund, which provided both financial and technical support of over N$1 million.
Steenkamp said by pursuing world heritage status the ministry is not only expanding Namibia’s portfolio of globally recognised heritage sites, but also reaffirming its status as a committed state party to the 1972 Unesco world heritage convention.
Steenkamp said the Dâures/Brandberg national monument area is a cultural anchor – a symbol of shared history, identity, and pride.
She said Namibia remains steadfast in its commitment to its protection and sustainable management for the benefit of current and future generations, and for the enrichment of the global community.
Situated approximately 30km northwest of Uis in the Erongo region, Brandberg is an ecological ‘sky island’, hosting a range of endemic species found nowhere else on earth, with a cultural record of 5 000 years.
The area features over 900 rock art sites, including pottery, beads and sheep dung.
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