The KGODUMODUMO Dinosaur Interpretation Center is officially opened in Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State and reveals a cultural and scientific tourist facility of world class that stimulates local tourism and community development.
Source: Tourism department
The interactive center offers visitors an innovative, creative and high-quality demonstration of scientific knowledge about paleontology, archeology and geology, while the indigenous Basotho cultures of the region are celebrated by compelling exhibitions.
“It is a joyful opportunity for our country while we reveal this new, exciting cultural and scientific tourist product,” says Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism.
“This facility is a wonderful addition to our various tourism offer, and it will provide repeated visits, keep visitors longer and more importantly, help visitors to spend more money in our fascinating destinations,” she adds.
Free public entry announced for visitors
To mark the launch, South African National Parks (Sanparks) has announced that access to the KGODUMODUMO Dinosaur Interpretive Center will be free for all visitors until September 30, 2025.
Visitors must present a valid identification document to be eligible for input.
Source: Tourism department
Heritage, Science and Tourism Development Combined
The R120m development was a cooperation effort between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, financed via the European Union through National Treasury. It aims to maintain the important fossil wealth of the region and at the same time create new economic opportunities for communities in the free state.
Unveiled under the theme “A Nation that works for everyone – our past excavates, building our future”, the facility has interactive exhibitions that are designed to involve visitors of all ages and to deepen appreciation for the unique fossil heritage of South Africa.
“Our country is blessed with many natural resources. The rocks of Golden Gate Highlands are 200 million years old and their fossils tell a unique story about the history of the earth.
“The South African Fossil Record is Unique and Provides Evidence of the Earliest single-celled life from 3.5 Billion years ago, to the earliest Four-Legged Fish to Crawl Out on Land some Million Years, DINOSSAUR, DINESSAURS, And Mammals, and Dinests, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals, And Mammals. Our Ancestors in the Dawn of Human Culture, “Says de Lille.
Source: Tourism department
Catalysising economic upliftment
The center is expected to improve the competitiveness of the national tourist economy of freedom. Developed under the Work for Tourism Program of the department and in collaboration with Sanparks, the project is intended to stimulate job creation, SMME development and employment in youth in surrounding communities.
“Investment projects are part of the larger objectives of the Master Plan of the tourism sector in South Africa to stimulate, build and diversify demand for demand and diversify the tourist offer.
“The construction of the KGODUMODUMO Interpretation Center is a strategic investment to support economic elevation in the long term of the Province of Free State.
“We are in mind that this tourist facility will stimulate economic development, create employment and opportunities for entrepreneurship for surrounding communities and further attract investments and development,” says De Lille.
Source: Tourism department
Skills development and community advantage
The project also contains a permanent land claim with which local communities benefit from operational activities and tourist opportunities in the center. During construction, 113 people from neighboring communities were employed, with 90% on-the-job skills training.
The facility includes paleontological offices, lecture halls, interactive exhibition areas, a curio and coffee shop, activity spaces for children, paved parking, a viewpoint and improved bulk services.
Source: Tourism department
Youth opportunities in heritage tourism
Coincidental with the youth month, the launch event acknowledged 15 young people who recently completed the training program of the Tourist Guides department and supervised accredited qualifications in nature and culture. These guides will now be used in the areas around the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
The Center supports Sanparks’ Vision 2040 through the development of science and heritage-based attractions of world class that elevate both conservation objectives and in the community.
Local and international visitors are encouraged to ‘Come and find your joy‘In South Africa, where old miracles meet modern wonders in the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Center.
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