By Emily Setona
GOLDEN GATE – The long-anticipated Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre has officially opened its doors at SANParks Golden Gate Highlands National Park — a major milestone that blends cutting-edge science with Basotho heritage.
At the heart of this initiative is world-renowned paleontologist Professor Jonah Choiniere from Wits University, who played a pivotal role in ensuring scientific accuracy and authenticity throughout the project.“I helped with the scaling of the models and to get them right because of the work I do as a paleontologist,” said Choiniere during the launch event that was held on 22 June.
“The experience of seeing scientific ideas come to life through these models and storytelling is what has been most exciting to me.”
But for Choiniere, the real work begins now. “The work starts after this launch — with the training of tour guides and teaching them scientific terms so that they can understand the knowledge and do the work. That’s where my focus is going to be,” he added.
The centre Is named after the mythical creature Kgodumodumo, a symbol woven into Basotho oral history. Free State MEC for DESTEA and Finance, Ketso Makume, emphasised the centre’s significance in preserving and celebrating indigenous knowledge.“
The story of Kgodumodumo might appear to be a myth, but it forms part of Basotho history and heritage. That is why this dinosaur interpretation centre has been established,” Makume said.
He added that the Department of Education has been engaged to ensure that learners visit the centre to learn about their own heritage. “If a learner has to pay R5 to enter, the department is willing to subsidise R3, so that the learner pays only R2,” Makume explained.
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille hailed the centre as a significant addition to South Africa’s tourism landscape. “This facility is a wonderful addition to our diverse tourism offerings. It will ensure repeat visits, keep visitors longer, and more importantly, help them spend more money in our captivating destinations,” she said.
“We envision that this tourism facility will boost economic development, create employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for surrounding communities, and further attract investment and development.”
The launch drew national and provincial delegates, with local royalty lending their endorsement. Representing the Bakoena royal household, Morena e Moholo Moremoholo Mopeli called the centre a proud moment for the people of Thabo Mofutsanyana District. “This is indeed a major milestone for our community and the Basotho people as a whole,” said Mopeli.
The Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre now stands as both a scientific hub and cultural treasure — a space where ancient life meets indigenous narrative, sparking curiosity in learners, researchers, and tourists alike.
4 Responses
A wonderful achievement..
Margaret Rautenbach
A wonderful achievement after years of hard work. My mother, Georgie Rautenbach would have been amazed at the result. She identified and catalogued all the rock paintings in the area and went hunting for fossils, tools and anything of interest to paleontology and pre-history from 1939 through to 1973 , and took many Wits students on tours of the sites of interest as well as others interested in archaeology. Her one fossil is on display .
A bout of flu kept me away from the opening of the museum, but I hope to visit in the early summer.
I am sure it will be a great success and attraction.
Congratulations!
Professors Tobais, from the Witwatersrandt University, often visited Georgie Rautenbach, from the farms Dunblane and Caledon Park, where she discovered Tainasouris Rex remains, in the river, between the farms, (which were originally one farm), in 1959