Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority

[2] It is mandated to care for that part of South Africa's national estate that is of provincial and local significance in the Northern Cape.

Under the 1996 Constitution of South Africa cultural matters are a competency shared between national and provincial government.

The Northern Cape Provincial Government elected initially to use provisions of the National Heritage Resources Act which allowed it to establish a provincial heritage resources authority (PHRA): 'Ngwao Boswa' was established by regulation on 28 February 2003.

[6] The council established a sub-committee known as the 'Permits Committee' which met monthly to consider applications under the terms of the National Heritage Resources Act.

From its inception there was controversy over the correct translation of the term 'Heritage Northern Cape' into seTswana, the regulation establishing the organisation spelling it 'Taolo Ya Ngoa Boshwa Kapa Bokoni'.

[13] New legislation, published in March 2014, gives the name of the organisation as Northern Cape Heritage Resources Authority.