The Richtersveld is a rugged and dynamic desert area situated in the north-western corner of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It stretches from Steinkopf and Port Nolloth in the south to the Orange River in the north and from Alexander Bay in the west to Vioolsdrif in the east.
The region is regarded as South Africa’s most pristine (untouched or undeveloped) wilderness. It is part of a larger region called Namaqualand, which extends northward into Namibia.
The region falls within the Richtersveld Local Municipality and the Namakwa District Municipality.
The Richtersveld is characterised by rugged kloofs and high mountains and is full of changing scenery from flat, sandy, coastal plains to craggy sharp mountains of volcanic rock and the lushness of the Orange River, which forms the border with neighboring Namibia.
The Richtersveld is regarded as the only arid biodiversity hotspot on earth, and the majority of the region is inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List due to its cultural values.
The Richtersveld is home to many indigenous Nama people. The Nama people migrated here approximately 2,000 years ago, but their lands and movement were restricted during the mid 20th century.
The Richtersveld consists of the six towns of Port Nolloth, Alexander Bay, Kuboes, Sanddrif, Eksteenfontein, and Lekkersing, with over 5,600 households.
The Nama people, who originated in southern Namibia and northern South Africa, regained title and community ownership of their ancestral lands in 2002, and 80% of the Richtersveld population is of Nama descent.
Many of the older generations speak the Nama language, but few youth and young children can speak Nama. The language and Nama culture are not taught in schools, which is a gap that Nama people would like to address. In the Richtersveld, over 40% of youth are unemployed, and youth skills development and employment are critical focal areas.