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Eyewitness News
a day ago
- Eyewitness News
[GALLERY] Walking among giants: Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre launched in Free State
Jacques Nelles 23 June 2025 | 7:35 Free State Department of Tourism SANParks A model of Lesothosaurus diagnostics 'The distinguished lizard of Lesotho' on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN JOHANNESBURG - Ledumahadi mafube, a 12-ton, 12-meter-long South African dinosaur first discovered in 1989 by James Kitching in the Free State, is considered the heaviest dinosaur to have roamed the prehistoric Golden Gate Highlands National Park. It is also one of the first dinosaurs to be given a proper African name - "The Giant Thunderclap" - inspired by the sound it may have made as it thundered through the Free State roughly 200 million years ago. The Ledumahadi mafube dinosaur model at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 22 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN This massive sauropodomorph is one of South Africa's more well-known dinosaurs, now brought to life in full-scale artistic models at the newly launched Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Parts of the found skeleton of the Ledumahadi mafube dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN The state-of-the-art centre, officially opened by Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille, is a collaboration between the Department of Tourism and SANParks, designed to enhance the visitor experience at the park. The facility features several life-sized sculptures and provides an exceptional educational experience in paleontology, archaeology, and geology geared towards inspiring curiosity in both young and old visitors about our country's ancient past. A display of dinosaur eggs at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN Early BaSotho communities discovered fossilised bones and footprints of unknown creatures scattered across their homelands, sparking the creation of myths and legends that still echo in BaSotho folklore today. The legend of Kgodumodumo tells of a monstrous being that terrorised villages, devouring anything in its path. When it moved, it shook the very mountains of the BaSotho homeland. One brave young man, Moshanyana wa Senkatana, who grew up hiding from the beast, grew strong and clever in his constant efforts to evade it. After the creature swallowed half his people, he allowed himself to be eaten, armed with food and fire, and ultimately cooked the beast from within, killing it and freeing those trapped inside. Visitors to the newly launched Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN His Majesty Moremoholo Mopeli of the Bakoena Kingdom, who cut the ribbon alongside Minister De Lille on 22 June 2025, expressed his pride in seeing the heritage of his people displayed in such a powerful way. "A lot of the information you see here, the storytelling, the narration, was done by us and our people," he said. A model of Heterodontosaurus tucki on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN The centre now employs at least 15 permanent staff, many from the surrounding communities. Locals are encouraged to offer goods and services to both domestic and international tourists, with the hope of growing the local economy through this new attraction. A visitor looks up at a model of Dracovenator regenti, the apex predator of South Africa 200 million years ago on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN Funded by the European Union, the R120 million Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is a celebration of African history, science, and storytelling. An artist's reconstruction model of a 'Massospondylus', South Africa's most famous dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN For a limited time, SANParks is offering free access to all South African citizens until 30 September 2025, an open invitation to walk among giants and rediscover the ancient wonders beneath our feet. Visitors take pictures of an artist's reconstruction model of a 'Massospondylus', South Africa's most famous dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 22 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
New dinosaur centre set to boost rural tourism in Free State
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre will provide a state-of-the-art visitor experience, nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. As part of efforts to diversify the country's tourism offerings and promote rural tourism development, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is set to launch a dinosaur interpretation centre in the Free State. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Department of Tourism, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), South African National Parks (SANParks), and the Free State provincial government. This R120 million investment, funded by the European Union through the South African National Treasury, represents a significant step forward in the country's mission to create inclusive, educational and globally compelling tourism experiences. Ancient bones The new centre will celebrate Africa's ancient history, highlighting one of the world's oldest known dinosaur embryos ever discovered. With interactive exhibitions that blend palaeontology, archaeology, geology and cultural heritage, the centre aims to awaken curiosity and delight in visitors of all ages. The BaSotho people and their ancestors have inhabited and explored this eastern Free State landscape for centuries. Through their deep connection with the land, early BaSotho communities discovered fossil bones and footprints of unknown creatures. They imagined that these bones and footprints belonged to a mythical beast called 'Kgodumodomo' and created stories about them that continue to feature in BaSotho mythology today. Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister de Lille highlighted the long-term benefits the centre will bring to the community. Attracting tourists 'We will be able to attract more visitors to the Free State province, which is one of the less-visited provinces,' she stated. De Lille also emphasised the importance of making the centre accessible to young people, allowing them to learn about South Africa's history and its ancestors. She is in discussions with SANParks to ensure that visiting the centre remains affordable for South Africans. 'I am in discussion with SANParks about the pricing structure, and even if there is some income, it must be affordable. We have a very high cost of living, and we must consider all of these factors when deciding on the entry fee,' said De Lille. Additionally, she revealed that 30 tour guides from the local community, trained by the Department, will be employed full-time at the centre. 'This centre is a symbol of what we mean when we say, 'Come Find Your Joy in South Africa'," said De Lille. 'Whether your joy is sparked by science, nature, culture or connection, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is an experience that brings it all together in a way that is locally rooted and globally inspiring.'
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
SA to unveil World-Class Dinosaur Interpretation Centre
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, promising a state-of-the-art visitor experience will be unveiled in the breathtaking landscapes of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. This R120 million investment is funded by the European Union through the South African National Treasury. The launch, scheduled for June 22, is a milestone moment for the Department of Tourism, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), South African National Parks (SANParks), and the Free State provincial government. Under the theme 'A Nation That Works for All – Unearthing Our Past, Building Our Future,' the new centre offers an immersive celebration of Africa's ancient story, spotlighting one of the world's oldest known dinosaur embryos ever discovered. With interactive exhibitions blending palaeontology, archaeology, geology, and cultural heritage, the centre promises to awaken curiosity and delight in every visitor – young and old. BaSotho people and their ancestors inhabited and explored this eastern Free State landscape for hundreds of years. Through their deep connection with the land, early BaSotho communities discovered fossil bones and footprints of unknown creatures. They imagined that these bones and footprints belonged to a mythical beast, 'Kgodumodomo' and created stories about them that still feature in BaSotho mythology today. 'This centre is a symbol of what we mean when we say, Come Find Your Joy in South Africa,' said Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille. 'Whether your joy is sparked by science, nature, culture, or connection, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is an experience that brings it all together in a way that is locally rooted and globally inspiring.' The launch of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre will include the graduation of newly trained local tourist guides, a testament to the project's role in empowering youth, women, and rural communities through skills development, job creation, and tourism-led economic growth. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
14-06-2025
- The South African
In the footsteps of giants: SA's new dinosaur centre to open
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Free State will officially open next week. The interactive visitor centre, which is in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, hosts exhibitions about the paleontological, scientific and cultural significance of the area. The centre will particularly highlight the dinosaur relics found in the area, including the discovery of the world's oldest dinosaur embryos. SANParks, which manages the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, hopes the new facility will boost visitor numbers. Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille and Dion George, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, will officially open the attraction next week on 22 June. The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is a joint development by the Departments of Tourism and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. R120 million in funding came from the European Union through an application submitted by National Treasure. The Department of Tourism believes that the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre will boost tourism in the Free State and thereby create more jobs in the sector. Part of the project included the training of a new cohort of local guides. Minister De Lille welcomed the milestone launch in a statement, calling on tourists to visit the facility: 'Whether your joy is sparked by science, nature, culture, or connection, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is an experience that brings it all together in a way that is locally rooted and globally inspiring.' Palaeontology is often considered a Western science, but the new dinosaur interpretation centre also honours the contributions of local communities. For hundreds of years, BaSotho people in the Golden Gate came across fossils and footprints of long-gone creatures. Therefore, the BaSotho felt these relics could only belong to a mythical beast, whom they called 'Kgodumodomo', and the creature features in BaSotho mythology. The new tourist centre's name, therefore, pays tribute to the local community. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
