Transforming a valley into a creative hub

Tawanda Gwasera

Tawanda Gwasera shares the transformation of the Kromdraai Valley, located in the Cradle of Humankind, on the outskirts of Johannesburg and Pretoria, South Africa, where art, sustainable architecture, creativity of all kinds and local empowerment drive rural revival. He highlights Nirox Arts Centre, the Farmhouse58 hotel, The Kromdraai Impact Hub and initiatives like the Ubuntu Queens and Run With Tom, showcasing their collective power as a cross-disciplinary, cross-cultural alignment of people and nature. These efforts are revitalising the Kromdraai Valley through cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and economic growth, demonstrating how art and community can uplift rural areas in this UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Tawanda Gwasera will introduce the Nirox Foundation’s private initiative to regenerate and protect the Kromdraai Valley in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. He'll highlight the collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to preserving this unique landscape, integrating arts, farming, and community engagement. Gwasera will invite attendees to experience the valley firsthand, emphasising its significance beyond mere description.