Our Environment
Maropeng ensures that the bush and grasslands surrounding the Tumulus building environment are kept as natural as possible
The Maropeng Visitor Centre is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has a number of internal policies in place to ensure that its business practices are as eco-friendly as possible.
These green strategies involve the use of a number of extensive waste management systems, including the recycling of waste and water. A series of complex wetland systems process impurities in water, allowing it to be re-used for irrigation purposes.
As a World Heritage Site, Maropeng welcomes more than 250 000 visitors to the Cradle of Humankind each year.
Running an award-winning tourist attraction requires a staff contingent of almost 100 dedicated people and a lot of energy.
Being a World Heritage Site is an honour and Maropeng is setting the green standard for other businesses and industries to follow.
By highlighting the eco-friendly work that is done in the Cradle of Humankind, Maropeng hopes to inspire visitors to follow their example and encourage them to consider their ecological footprint and think of ways to conserve the environment.
Read more in the articles below about the eco-friendly initiatives that the Maropeng Visitor Centre has implemented in its daily operations.
News
Maropeng kitchens source local food
The US National Restaurant Association predicts that “local” and “sustainable” will be the hot buzzwords in restaurants globally in 2012. Patrick Mutavhatsindi, food and beverage manager at Maropeng, agrees.
Maropeng awarded gold heritage status for going green
Maropeng, the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind, has been awarded a gold certificate of membership by the Heritage Environmental Management Company for its commitment to sustainable business practices.
Plants of the Cradle of Humankind: Crocosmia aurea
In 2011 Maropeng took home a silver certificate in the Landscape and Turf Maintenance and Water-Wise categories at the South African Landscapers Institute Awards for the maintenance of its grasslands and wetlands. In this series we highlight a few of the incredible plant species found in the Cradle of Humankind.
Maropeng celebrates World Wetlands Day 2012
Maropeng is committed to sustainability and fostering respect for the environment. Today we celebrate World Wetlands Day, which marks the date of the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971.
Plants of the Cradle of Humankind: Scadoxus puniceus
In this series we highlight a few of the incredible plant species found in the Cradle of Humankind.
Responsible tourism mobile app now available to green travellers
It’s here – the Apple Green Globe App – and Maropeng is among South Africa’s hottest green tourist attractions looking to benefit from this recently launched app.
World Habitat Day inspires call to action
South Africa is the 12th largest carbon emitter in the world, according to Greenpeace Africa, but Maropeng is doing its part to be environmentally sustainable in light of the United Nations’ (UN) call to action.
Maropeng plants trees for Arbour Day
Maropeng staff got their hands dirty last week when they planted two wild olive trees for Arbour Day.
WWF helps rhinos on International Rhino Day
The second International Rhino Day is on September 22, and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is driving a call to raise funds is for conservation efforts, which are ongoing and expensive.
Maropeng celebrates Arbor Week
After a chilly winter, spring is finally here – the sun is shining and the air smells sweet as South Africans celebrate two important occasions this September: Arbor Week and National Heritage Day.
Our Fans
From Twitter
22 February, 10:25 “65% of the food on #Maropeng’s menus is sourced from within 15km of the Cradle of Humankind area #sustainabletourism http://t.co/foctBGiw”
22 February, 10:22 “@MyDJohannesburg Thanks! We believe in #sustainabletourism”
22 February, 09:38 “RT @JoburgRSA: #JoziEvent RT @MGConcierge: #VisitMagaliesburg Maropeng: February 25 Star Gazing: Living Amongst the Stars. http://t.co/gmuMHwO2”
