Standing tall and curiously amongst marvels spanning thousands of years as well as newer African imaginings, South Africa held its own by being credited with two golden spots on the BBC’s “Africa’s Iconic Architecture in 12 Buildings” list.
The two locations (cue drumroll) are the North West Province’s Maropeng Visitor Centre, and Limpopo’s Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre.
About Maropeng’s Visitor Centre:
It’s an award-winning exhibition also dubbed the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. In state-of-the-art architectural and tech design, you can explore the history of our species right from the assumed beginning.
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I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Visitor Centre before, and I can say that it’s well-worth the visit for those who want to go on a different kind of journey – one that extends far back in time, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
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As the BBC adorns, it’s an iconic structure. The building’s exterior resembles a burial mould rising from the earth in a delicate integration with nature.
About Mapungubwe
Mapungubwe’s National Park holds a treasure. Situated in Limpopo on SA’s northern border, the setting once flourished in 1200 and 1300 AD where it was one of the first gold-producers and traders.
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Today, the Mapungubwe society still lives there. It’s an incredible culture shock that I experienced first hand as a young girl. I remember being in awe of how peaceful the people seemed, and how fascinating it was to learn about a completely different way of life. The setting and award winning centre – the Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre embodies this.
It’s constructed with a “long forgotten vaulting technique that bricklayers from North Africa took to Catalonia, which was used by architects such as Antoni Gaudi, according to the architect himself, Peter Rich.
Here’s the full list of African Architecture icons:
Uganda – Kasubi Tombs (1882)
Ethiopia – Lideta Market (2017)
Niger – Hikma Complex (2018)
4. South Africa – Maropeng Visitors’ Centre (2006)
5. Sudan – Pyramids of Meroë (300BC)
6. Lesotho – Basotho Houses (Date unknown)
7. Nigeria – Kenneth Dike Library (1954)
8. Mali – Great Mosque of Djenné (13th century)
9. Ethiopia – Palace of Emperor Fasilides (early 17th century)
10. Nigeria – Dominican Chapel (1973)
11. Benin – Great Mosque (1912 – 1935)
12. South Africa – Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre
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Picture: GAPP Architects & Urban Designers