[First published 28 January 2013] If all goes to plan over the next few months, Johannesburg could become Africa’s first Wikipedia City. This means that visitors will be able to use their smartphones to scan QR codes placed on historic landmarks and be taken to a Wikipedia page containing fascinating information about the site. (A QR code is a smart phone readable bar code that contains web addresses). This initiative, known as JoburgpediA, has the potential to transform the way heritage information is consumed and could have huge implications for heritage education, preservation and tourism.
The project is being driven by Wikimedia South Africa and was inspired by a similar scheme in Monmouth, Wales where hundreds of historic sites including churches, schools, houses, bridges and even pubs received QR codes. Historic Monmouth now wears the title of ‘World’s First Wikipedia Town’ with enormous pride. Dumisani Ndubane, the president of Wikimedia SA, believes that Johannesburg, with its rich and diverse history, is the natural place to launch this scheme which could be rolled out to other towns and cities across South Africa over time.
In the past week the Wikimedia Team secured the endorsement of the Heritage Department of the City of Johannesburg. The Department agreed that ceramic tiles containing QR codes could be placed next to blue plaques that will be erected in and around the city during 2013. These include the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Rockville, Soweto; the David Webster House in Troyeville; the Bram Fischer House in...
