To introduce an integrated and interactive system for the management of the national heritage resources; to promote good government at all levels, and empower civil society to nurture and conserve their heritage resources so that they may be bequeathed to future generations; to lay down general principles for governing heritage resources management throughout the Republic; to introduce an integrated system for the identification, assessment and management of the heritage resources of South Africa; to establish the South African Heritage Resources Agency together with its Council to co-ordinate and promote the management of heritage resources at national level; to set norms and maintain essential national standards for the management of heritage resources in the Republic and to protect heritage resources of national significance; to control the export of nationally significant heritage objects and the import into the Republic of cultural property illegally exported from foreign countries; to enable the provinces to establish heritage authorities which must adopt powers to protect and manage certain categories of heritage resources; to provide for the protection and management of conservation-worthy places and areas by local authorities; and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Latest Developments:

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), has been updated with the Declaration of the Thulamela Archaeological Site situated in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo as a National Heritage Site, as per Notice No. 5192 of GG51205, dated 13 September 2024.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), has been updated with the Declaration of Seven (7) Kramats in the “Circle of Tombs” Situated at various locations around Cape Town, Western Cape as National Heritage Sites, as per Notice No. 4568 of GG50396, dated 28 March 2024.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), has been updated with the Revised Schedule of Fees for Applications made to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) from 1 January 2023, as per Notice No. 2844 of GG47665, dated 9 December 2022

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999), has been amended by the Declaration of the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela House situated on Erf 802 and Portions of 803: Majwemasweu, Winnie Mandela (previously Brandfort) as a National Heritage site, as per Notice No. 1845 of GG46000, dated 4 March 2022

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by the Declaration of Ten (10) Kramats in the “Circle of Tombs” situated at various locations around the Cape Peninsula, Western Cape as National Heritage Sites, as per Notice No. 1571 of GG45602, dated 3 December 2021.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by the declaration of the Sibhudu Cave, Kwadukuza Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal as a National Heritage Site, as per Notice No. 1359 of Government Gazette 44003, dated 18 December 2020.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by the declaration of the grave site of Magrieta Janties, Kameelboom Cemetery, Upington, Northern Cape as a National Heritage Site, as per Notice No. 1358 of Government Gazette 44003, dated 18 December 2020.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by the declaration of the grave site of Harry Gwala, Elda Gwala and Lulu Gwala, Swayimane, KwaZulu-Natal as a National Heritage Site, as per Notice No. 1357 of Government Gazette 44003, dated 18 December 2020.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by declaring the Historical portion of Phoenix Settlement, Inanda, Ethekwini, KZN a National Heritage site, as per Notice No. 1017 of Government Gazette 43734, dated 25 September 2020.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by declaring Rocklands Community Hall, Mitchells PLain, CT, WC as a National Heritage site, as per Notice No. 1016 of Government Gazette 43734, dated 25 September 2020.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by Identifying Types of Objects that are Protected, and may not be Exported without a Permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), Government Gazette 42407, Notice No. 587, dated 18 April 2019.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by the declaration of the Wreck of the Sao Jose as a Heritage Site, Government Gazette 42037, Notice No. 1238, dated 16 November 2018.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by Regulations in Accordance with the Provisions of Section 9 of the National Heritage Resources Act No. 25 of 1999, General Notice No. 218, Government Gazette 40691, dated 17 March 2017.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by Regulations Relating to the Registration of Dealers in Heritage Objects and the Control of Trade in Heritage Objects, Notice No. 1258, Government Gazette 39533, dated 18 December 2015.

The Act has been updated with Declaration No. 178 in Government Gazette No. 33006 dated July 2010 and Declaration No. 748 in Government Gazette No. 32403 of July 2009.

The Act has been updated by Notice No. 120 – declaration of National Heritage Site, and Notice No. 121 - declaration of National Heritage Site, both published in Government Gazette No. 31864 dated 13 February 2009.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been updated with various Government Notices dated between September 2002 up to April 2008.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by an amendment to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) Permit Regulations, Notice No. 668, Government Gazette 27759, dated 8 July 2005.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by an amendment to the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) Permit Regulations, Notice No. 694, Government Gazette 24893, dated 30 May 2003.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) Permit Regulations, Notice No. R. 548, Government Gazette 21239, dated 2 June 2000.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999) has been amended by Regulations, Notice No. R. 323, Government Gazette 21051, dated 31 March 2000.

The National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, has been added to the site on 11 September 2000, as published in Government Gazette 19974, dated 28 April 1999, and is completely up to date.The regulations have also been added, as published in Gazette 21239 and dated 2 June 2000.