St. Petersburg: The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is a living gateway into South Africa’s deep past and dynamic future, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said on Sunday. ‘This Centre tells the story of a world 200 million years ago, yet it is also a story of the Basotho people, whose ancient wisdom and oral traditions gave rise to the mythical Kgodumodumo, now brought to life in scientific exhibition,’ de Lille said.
According to South African Government News Agency, she was speaking at the launch of the centre at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. The Minister said the centre also tells the story of the land claimant settlement agreement which includes a beneficiation package that largely consists of eco-tourism opportunities such as a camping site, horse riding, mountain biking, a 4×4 trail, and hiking trails.
‘I want to acknowledge that the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre has been made possible through close collaboration and partnership between the Department of Tourism, Evolutionary Studies Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand, South African National Parks [SANParks], National Treasury, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment [DFFE], the Free State Province and most importantly, the surrounding communities,’ she added.
The Minister was also grateful for the donor funding from the European Union of R120 million. ‘I want to thank all partners for their invaluable contributions, both past and future. A special mention to the University of the Witwatersrand, which has a long tradition of palaeontological research. Subsequent work at this site revealed more nests at different levels, indicating that this was a seasonal nesting place for dinosaurs. We have created something both monumental and meaningful.’
De Lille emphasized that the centre is not just a museum. ‘Government is diversifying tourism attractions to grow tourism. The Interpretation Centre will act as a catalyst for broader tourism development in the Free State’s rural economy,’ she said, adding that the centre will boost domestic tourism in one of the least visited provinces in the country. ‘The province of the Free State is not a place to travel through but a place to travel to. We have trained 15 tour guides from the local community.’
The Department of Tourism launched the centre in partnership with the DFFE. The two departments recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre to boost tourism in the Free State.
The centre will offer visitors an innovative, creative and quality demonstration of scientific knowledge (paleontological, archaeological, and geological) with a broader appreciation of cultural heritage through interactive exhibitions. The centre is managed by the SANParks, and it is envisaged that the facility will increase the bed occupancy and more activities for visitors to the park.
The development of the project includes the Interpretation Centre (paleontological offices and workspace), the reception area, lecture halls, the display area-exhibition and display installation, the coffee/curio shop, the activity node – office, activity areas (children), parking – paved parking area, look-out point, and bulk services, upgrade electrical supply – transformer and cable, sewer – connect to existing system water – connection.