UNESCO has officially added the Prehistoric Stone-Walled Kraal Enclosures of the Mpumalanga Highlands in South Africa to the World Heritage List. These complex dry-stone structures, dating back to the late Iron Age, represent a sophisticated example of terraced agriculture and centralized pastoralist planning that once supported a vast, interconnected network of communities across the highveld.
The designation highlights the Bokoni civilization's innovative use of stone to manage soil erosion and livestock in a high-altitude environment. UNESCO officials noted that the site provides unique insights into pre-colonial urbanism and social stratification in Southern Africa, serving as a critical reminder of the region's long history of architectural and agricultural resilience.