MAPUNGUBWE - September 24 will go down in the history books as one of the biggest days for the people of Limpopo, South Africa and the continent. That was the day when Premier Ngoako Ramathlodi, his cabinet and the community at large, celebrated the return of the artifacts that had been removed from Mapungubwe and housed at the University of Pretoria for many years.

The bringing back of these artifacts, including a nail, a rhino and a bowl, all made of gold, was described as the "coming home of the pride of Limpopo, the treasure of Mapungubwe," by Mr Charles Maluleke, Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board.

The United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) declared Mapungubwe, in the Limpopo valley, a world heritage site in June 2003. Mapungubwe is located west of Musina, close to where the Shashe River joins the Limpopo River.

According to Mr Bernard van der Linde, who is acting as a tour guide in the area, it is believed that a chief stayed on top of Mapungubwe mountain with his subjects. An archaeologist, Prof Nkhumeleni Ralushai, who did research about the area, said the strategic location of the mountain made it impossible for the enemies to attack the chief and his subjects. It is believed they are the ones who melted and traded gold there. According to history, these people were the Vhatwanamba, who spoke Tshivenda.

The name, Mapungubwe, is also believed to be from Venda, coming from the name, Phunguhwe (jackals), which means the area was a place of jackals. Van der Linde said 33 graves were found on top of the mountain, and gold was found in three of these graves, he said.

Van der Linde is one of the people who are busy rehabilitating the site. Bones and other remains, like old traditional pots, are being collected for further research. The rich history of this place, which reveals that Africans melted and traded gold long ago, is the reason why it was declared a world heritage site. It is also used in the national order, which is the highest in the country. It was given to former President Nelson Mandela.

In his speech, during the celebration of Heritage Day at Alldays, Premier Ramatlhodi said the day would go down in the history as an emotional and overwhelming experience for the province and the whole country. If Makapan Caves are declared a world heritage site, this means that Limpopo will have two world heritage sites.

This will make six world heritage sites in the country. The others are, Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Ukhahlamba – Drakensberg, Sterkfontein Caves and Robben Island.