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The January 2009 issue of the Wits Review – the quarterly magazine received by over 20 000 University of the Witwatersrand alumni – features Maropeng. Twice!

The University of the Witwatersrand, known affectionatly as “Wits” (pronounced “Vits”), is one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious universities, and is in central Johannesburg.

On September 20, 2008, Maropeng hosted about 60 Wits alumni and their family members, taking them on a journey back to the origins of humankind.

The Wits Review article about the visit mentions the boat ride through the elements of fire, earth, air and water, which appears to have been the highlight of the day – as it is for so many Maropeng visitors.

The magazine also features a photo essay of Maropeng, showing elements of the exhibition such as displays on genetics, human ancestors and sustainability. It includes an image of the popular boat ride and another of the interesting stonework at the back of the building, which visitors see when they exit the exhibition.

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The University of the Witwatersrand owns shares in Maropeng a Afrika, the company that runs the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves Visitor Centre and associated facilities.

Wits also has a special connection to Maropeng because a large team of Wits academics including palaeoanthropologists, archaeologists and geologists were involved in the development of the exhibition content at both Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves, and Wits experts continue to assist with ongoing displays, such as the temporary displays of fossils in the Real Fossil Display at the end of the Maropeng journey.

Maropeng Curator Lindsay Marshall is a Wits graduate with a degree in archaeology and social anthropology, and a post-graduate diploma in heritage studies.

Maropeng Marketing Manager Erica Saunders also graduated from Wits, where she obtained a degree in sociology and history.