Walking Through Makhanda: A Journey of Heritage and Tourism

As I soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Makhanda, I invite you to walk with me through this historic town of Makhanda—where every street, smile, and ray of sunshine tells a story.

My name is Maleruo Leponesa, and I come from the mountains of Lesotho. After many years as a teacher, I’ve stepped back into the classroom as a postgraduate student at Rhodes University—rediscovering life, learning, and myself along the way. This September, I’ve also taken on the role of media intern at Makana Tourism, giving me a chance to see Makhanda through new eyes.

Through my lens, I want to share Makhanda as I experience it: the beauty of its sunrises, the laughter of its people, and the heritage that quietly lives in its streets and buildings. More importantly, I hope we can reflect together: What does tourism really mean for us here at home? And how can we, as locals, be part of shaping it?

Defining Heritage and Tourism

Before beginning my visual journey, I paused to ask two simple but powerful questions:

What is heritage?
Heritage, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is what we inherit—whether it’s historic places, treasured buildings, or cultural practices passed from one generation to another. It’s about memory, identity, and preservation.

And what is tourism?
We often imagine tourism as “outsiders” arriving in our towns. But in truth, it’s simply about leaving your usual space to discover, learn, and experience—even temporarily. By that definition, I too am a tourist in Makhanda. I came here for education, but I’m also immersing myself in its cultural and historic layers. Perhaps tourism isn’t only “for visitors.” Maybe it’s also for locals—those of us walking our own streets with fresh eyes.

Walking the Streets: Conversations Along the Way

This week, I took a walk from the 1820 Settlers Monument down to Church Square. Along the way, I asked people three questions:

• What does heritage mean to you?

• When you hear the word tourism, what comes to mind?

• Do you feel like you are part of Makhanda’s tourism story?

The answers were as diverse as the town itself. Some spoke of heritage as family traditions, others pointed to buildings, while a few admitted they had never thought of themselves as part of tourism before.

These conversations reminded me that heritage and tourism are not fixed definitions—they are alive, shifting, and deeply personal.

So, explore Makhanda with me through these photographs I have captured—from the Monument’s sweeping views to the bustle of Church Square—because together, words and visuals tell our story.

Photographs by: Maleruo Leponesa