The Concept Development Plan (CDP) for the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park which provides a strategic guideline for the development and maintenance of conservation management infrastructure and visitor facilities / activities within the constraints of the receiving environment.

In terms of Section 25 (3) of the World Heritage Convention Act No. 49 of 1999 and section 39(3) of the Protected Areas Act No. 57 of 2003, consultation is required with municipalities, other organs of state, local communities and other affected parties, which have an interest in the area, when compiling a management plan for a protected area. Furthermore, the input and support of key stakeholders is considered vitally important in the management of protected areas and in the implementation of many of the actions set out in the Integrated Management Plan. For this reason a comprehensive public participation process has been undertaken in preparing the management plan for UDP WHS.

The stakeholder process commenced in August 2011 when two stakeholder workshops were held for north and south Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. The first stakeholder workshop took place on the 22nd of August 2011 at Spioenkop followed by a meeting on the 25th of August 2011 at the Underberg Country Club. Preliminary meetings and presentations were done for the Buffer Technical Committee (15 September 2011) with a broad representation of district and local municipalities and government departments including AMAFA. Presentations included The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Programme (29 August 2011) and to the Biodiversity and Protected Area Working Group on 19th of October 2011 at Golden Gate National Park. On the 29th of September 2011 a meeting was held with the Underberg Farmers Association and the Mhlwazini youth to discuss specific concerns the two parties wanted to be addressed in the Integrated Management Plan.

This Joint Management Plan (JMP) establishes a framework to guide the deliberations of the Joint Management Committee (JMC) and Management in pursuance of the management objectives of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Park (uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site / Sehlabathebe National Park) [MDTFP (UDP/SNP)].

The joint declaration and management of this Transfrontier Park contributes towards effectively conserving the globally significant natural and cultural heritage of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation and Development Area (MDTFCA) together with its scenic splendour. It is one of many achievements resulting from the collaboration on this programme between the Kingdom of Lesotho and the Republic of South Africa.

The main purpose of the JMP is to provide the necessary policy statements and guidelines for the JMC to address joint management issues and requires formal revision every five years. The JMP will also inform and guide the individual Park Strategic Management and Business Plans in supporting the achievement of the Transfrontier Park’s Mission and Management Objectives.

This report is the response of the State Parties of Lesotho and South Africa to Decision 37 COM 88.18 of the World Heritage Committee that requested the two State Parties to work on various state of conservation issues in their respective countries and to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2015, a report on the state of conservation of the property, including a report on the progress made in the implementation of the 3yth Session's recommendations, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 39th session in 2015.

A Report on the painting of the outside of the Tseketseke Hut, and other minor improvements to the hut during November 2015.