Rock Art

Monday, 21 December 2009 11:48

I have been hiking in the Berg for some years and it has always irritated me that “people in the know” keep the location of rock art a secret. After all these paintings are part of our National Heritage and why should we all not be able to view them. I always saw this practice as akin to a piece of stolen art residing in someone’s basement and only them being able to view it rather than the greater public at large.

However, my views have changed, let me explain. After taking my 14 year old nephew to the Northern Berg and spending the night in Crow’s Nest cave, which he enjoyed immensely, I decided to show him the splendors of the foot hills of the Southern Berg and take him on the Giants Cup five day hike which I did twice myself in 2008. Those of you who have done the hike will know that nearing the end at Bushman’s Neck there is a cave with some rock art, not the best example, but fascinating anyway and always a high point to look forward to after some 55kms of hiking. To my utter dismay I find that some, and I hesitate to use the word “person”, called “Francina & Gerald” has scratch their name across part of the rock art. I’m not one for punitive action but if “Francina & Gerald” had destroyed part of Saudi Arabia’s National Treasure “Francina & Gerald” would both be missing a hand and rightly so. So if you are one of those “people in the know” about the location of rock art, then I’m not so irritated with you anymore.

By the way if anyone knows who “Francina & Gerald” are, turn them in to KZN Wildlife.

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Last Updated ( Saturday, 10 July 2010 13:30 )