News

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.

Stargazing in the rain

The rain drew a gauzy curtain across the view of the hills. Beyond the glistening deck, there was a grey haze where the Magaliesberg range should have been, fading to blue in the distance.

Inside, in a comfy chair, I sipped hot chocolate, while Vincent Nettmann, Maropeng’s resident astronomer, set up the projector. Other guests mingled, enjoying the complimentary welcome drinks, under the watchful eye of Sylvia Makgetla, Maropeng’s sales and marketing assistant and our host for the evening. The question on everyone’s mind was “How do we stargaze when it’s pouring down outside?”

Discovering Maropeng’s architecture

The architecture of Maropeng, designed by GAPP Architects and MMA (Mphethi Morojele Architects), was based on the theme of discovery. When you approach the site, you see seven concrete fingers or 14m high concrete columns, signifying the centre, which moves in and out of sight along its approach. The concrete fingers have words on them that hint at the major themes of the exhibition, such as “Imagine”, “Explore”, “Contemplate”, and “Discover”.

Cradle of Humankind: where I’d rather be

The following article was written by Samson Mqwati, a Maropeng boat ride operator:

People from all over the world are anticipating the long Easter weekend. Plans have been set, plane tickets are already bought and seats guaranteed. People will be travelling to places of their choice. Different churches and religions will be gathering in multitudes for their annual worship as Easter is that time of the year when many want to get in touch with their innermost person and desires to have that spiritual fulfilment.

Maropeng sponsors Sci-Enza art and poetry prizes

Maropeng is the proud sponsor of prizes for the two winners of the Sci-Enza Discovery Darwin art and poetry competition.

Sci-Enza, the oldest interactive Science Centre in South Africa, launched the competition on February 11 2009, the day before Darwin’s bicentennial. Learners from a school in Pretoria visited Sci-Enza on the University of Pretoria campus to mark the launch.

A life path through the caves – Reuben Tsime

Reuben Tsime is one of Maropeng’s award-winning tourist guides, but first he was one of its biggest fans.

A resident of nearby Krugersdorp, Reuben has fond memories of visiting the famous Sterkfontein Caves on school tours when he was about 13 years old. He remembers buying books about the caves and archaeology, encouraged by his mother to read and learn.

Maropeng gets networking at Meetings Africa

Maropeng attended the Meetings Africa trade show and exhibition in Johannesburg this week.

The event, organised by South African Tourism annually, aims to bring together local and international travel, tourism and events buyers and organisers with locally based service providers.