Curtis Jeaven, a 27-year-old from the Northern Cape, has been selected as a laureate of the Cross Mobility scholarship programme for 2024, a collaboration between Sol Plaatje University (SPU), Universite de Bordeaux, and Universite Sevoie Mont Blanc. With a strong interest in heritage and archaeology, Curtis pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at SPU, majoring in Heritage, Archaeology, History, and English. His research focuses on countering predominant narratives and reimagining the significance of South Africa’s intangible heritage.
Curtis’s journey in rock art and prehistoric site studies led him to join the international research programme, Cosmo-Art, funded by the French National Research Agency. His honours thesis, based on a photographic exhibition in Platfontein, Northern Cape, explores the complexity of values attributed to rock art and prehistoric sites through a comparative study of two World Heritage Sites: uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in South Africa and the Vézère Valley in France. His research aims to provide recommendations for improving rock art presentation as a tourist attraction, with broader implications for African rock art sites.
His achievement in this niche area of heritage studies is a significant contribution to SPU’s commitment to addressing the unique needs, competence, and characteristics of the Northern Cape region. SPU has strategically developed its academic disciplines to include heritage studies, recognising the importance of preserving and understanding the region’s rich cultural heritage. Curtis’s work is a shining example of how SPU’s focus areas are not only aligned with regional priorities but are also gaining international recognition.
Curtis acknowledges the support he received from SPU, including guidance from supervisors, access to valuable resources, and assistance from various university departments. As a three-time graduate of SPU, he aspires to complete his PhD and become “Dr Jeaven”. During his time in France, he will focus on qualitative research at significant sites like Lascaux Cave and participate in an international training workshop on presenting rock art sites.
Expressing his gratitude for the scholarship, Curtis is eager to bring back valuable insights to challenge stereotypes associated with cultural heritage and advocate for rock art tourism. SPU congratulates him on this achievement and wishes him success in his future endeavours.
