The Free State province launched the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park this past weekend with the aim to boost the local economy through tourism while sharing history of where dinosaur embryos were discovered in the Free State.
The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, was joined by the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, the Free State Premier, MaQueen Letsoha Mathae, the MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ketso Makume, and His Majesty Moremoholo Mopeli, on 22 June in Clarens.
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is part of the government’s efforts to diversify tourism in the country, according to De Lille.
“This centre is not just a brick-and-mortar building, but a gateway into our continent’s past and a dynamic future. This is heritage and identity of the Basotho people and at least 50% of jobs created here must be for locals. This is part of government’s efforts to diversify tourism in the country. The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre will act as a catalyst to further develop the district and the province,” she said.
Makume emphasised that the “Free State is not the province to go through; it is a province to go to”. The centre will contribute to the local tourism industry. He encouraged businesses in the area to offer unique experiences and products so that they could stand out from their competitors in other areas.
“You need to ensure that when tourists come here they get something unique and different. This will make the Free State attractive to the rest of the world. Take advantage of this centre, it will be visited by many international communities,” he said.
The centre is a collaborative initiative between the Department of Tourism and SANParks aimed at enhancing the visitor experience at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. An investment of R120 million has gone into the infrastructure to ensure the interpretation centre showcases outstanding scientific knowledge – covering palaeontology, archaeology, and geology – while also promoting a deeper appreciation of cultural heritage through interactive displays.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion and Justine Fortuin
