Celebrate #AfricaDay at Maropeng

May 19, 2015

“Africa is the birthplace of humankind. This is where our collective umbilical cord lies buried.”

Our more keen-eyed visitors often stop and take a photo of these words, etched on one of the stones that line the path to the entrance of Maropeng.

This common heritage that all human beings share will be top of mind on 25 May, when the world marks Africa Day. We’ve decided to help families celebrate it in a profound way at Maropeng on the eve of Africa Day.

This Sunday, 24 May, we’re inviting you to bring a maximum of two children to Maropeng or the Sterkfontein Caves free of charge when you buy one full-priced adult ticket at our ticket office at Maropeng.

Please note that this special is not valid for tickets bought online.

Africa Stone
Learn the fundamentals around the origin of species at Maropeng

Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom highlighted the importance of the link between Africa and humankind at INDABA 2015 in Durban earlier this month.

“Across Africa, we have unique sites that tell a compelling story about who we are and the road that humanity has travelled. It stretches from the earliest origins of humankind to our recent struggle for freedom and equality. Chapters of this story have been written in many countries of our continent.

“In fact, Africa is the home of the original story: it is the birthplace of humankind.

“At South Africa's Cradle of Humankind, hominid fossils tell us about our common ancestry. At Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge, evidence of the early tools made by our ancestors show how we became hunters and social beings.

“Where on earth can you find sites that tell such a powerful story?

“Only in Africa,” he said.

The Presidency, meanwhile, has urged South Africans to mark the day.

“We call upon all our people to mark Africa Day 2015 in various ways by celebrating South Africa’s unique diversity and the country’s rich culture and traditions,’’ said President Jacob Zuma.