Maropeng is going places, and Sylvia with it

The minute Sylvia Makgetla walks into the room, you feel you’re in good hands. Confident and friendly, she is one of those unusual people who actually enjoy having questions to answer and problems to solve.

“It’s a blessing that everyone has so much faith in me,” she says.

Putting people first – Catherine Nthleng

From shy and quiet to bubbly and confident – Catherine Nthleng has come out of her shell in her five years of working at Maropeng. She is one of the boat ride operators and she interacts with visitors all day.

Before she joined Maropeng, Catherine worked as a volunteer at Itumeleng Clinic, educating people about HIV/AIDS. She and her team of volunteers went door to door, telling people about the virus and the importance of using condoms.

Finding fulfilment every day – Kelebogile Mangole

“Success is not about glitz and glamour, it’s about fulfilment. Not all of us will be rich, so achieving your goals and being happy, to me, is success. Being a guide here means I have succeeded,” says Kelebogile Mangole, a tour guide at Maropeng.

The 21-year-old has been a tour guide since 2008. She is also studying towards a marketing diploma with the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Maropeng upgrades FET resources pack

Maropeng recently hosted a workshop of national and provincial learning coordinators in order to propose updates to the Maropeng FET resources pack.

FET stands for Further Education and Training and incorporates grades 10, 11 and 12. Maropeng also offers packs for younger scholars. The packs are carefully integrated with the South African education curriculum, and has been endorsed by the National Department of Education.

Maropeng’s stunning architecture and landscape draws in the media

Maropeng has featured prominently in local and national media recently. The dramatic building that houses the visitor centre has caught the attention of many location scouts, and most recently formed the backdrop for a photoshoot with local musician Lira in an Audi Magazine spread.

Boat ride operator rides the waves to success – Anna Magobolo

Blue and yellow lights flash across her face, the engine roars in the background and she signals to her guests to hold on. Anna Magobolo, one of Maropeng’s boat ride operators, is preparing to take visitors on an amazing trip through time. 

What makes it all the more amazing is that Anna used to have a phobia about water. She never thought she would be able to swim, let alone be qualified to rescue people. But after five years of experience at Maropeng, she confidently checks her boat and leads the journey down the underground river.

New exhibition opens at Maropeng: Insects from the Distant Past

Maropeng opened a new exhibition today, April 16, 2009. On display in the Original Fossil Exhibition at the Maropeng Visitor Centre is a variety of fossilised insects from Southern Africa.

The fossils include early cockroaches found in the Karoo, well-preserved insects found at the Orapa diamond mine in Botswana, and even fly larvae found alongside hominid fossils in the Cradle of Humankind.

Man on the move – Peter Mhanaza

One day, three years ago, Peter Mhanaza stood in a queue with 600 people at Sterkfontein Caves for five hours, waiting to be interviewed. As the queue got shorter, Peter became more anxious. “It was nerve-racking but worth it because I got the job,” he says.

Peter is the assistant food and beverage manager at Maropeng. He has been working at the Cradle of Humankind for three years and has risen quickly and successfully through a variety of positions.

Defining the Cradle of Humankind

Maropeng staff reflected on the meaning of the Cradle of Humankind and came up with these perspectives:

Maropeng takes part in ‘Visit with Visa’ promotion

Up to half a million international visitors are expected to flock to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. As winner of the Tourist Attraction category in South African Tourism’s 2008 Welcome Awards, Maropeng should be on everyone’s list of things to see between FIFA World Cup™ matches.