The Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Sterkfontein Caves can both be found in the Cradle of Humankind and both teachers and learners alike will never forget a visit to the Cradle.

Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, the Cradle of Humankind boasts more hominid (human ancestor) fossils than anywhere else on Earth. This wealth of artefacts has contributed significantly to the understanding of humanity’s history over more than 3-million years.

All together, there are 15 major fossil sites in the Cradle of Humankind, of which Sterkfontein Caves is the most famous.

The fossils “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot ” were both discovered at the Sterkfontein Caves, as well as thousands more hominid fossils, and those of plants and animals.

The main visitor centre, the Maropeng Visitor Centre, features an exciting, interactive, world-class exhibition, developed using the information gleaned from fossils found in the Cradle of Humankind . The exhibition focuses on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years.

The second, smaller visitor centre, at the Sterkfontein Caves, holds fascinating secrets to our past, and provides an entertaining workout as you follow your guide through the caverns.

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) refers to South Africa’s strategy to ensure that the country’s Black majority has access to economically empowering employment.

BBBEE addresses past inequalities in the South African workplace and in economic ownership and is a means to speed up South Africa’s economic growth through job creation and poverty eradication.

In this light, Maropeng has been awarded a BBBEE certificate in recognition of its Level 1 BBBEE status.

According to BBBEE- certification company BEE Verification Agency, Level 1 certification means that Maropeng has achieved the highest level of recognition possible in its efforts to ensure economic empowerment and development among its staff.

Maropeng has done this through a comprehensive staff development programme, which received a 100% (25 points out of 25) rating towards its certification. Every staff member, regardless of designation goes through the programme, which also provides for guide and waiter training.

Of the many criteria for good BBBEE certification,ensuring demographically representative ownership is one of the most important. To this end Maropeng was able to show 51.3% Black shareholder ownership, along with 31.1% Black female shareholder ownership.

Maropeng is already recognised for its efforts to preserve South Africa’s ancient history; now it has its own place in South Africa’s recent history as it achieves the transformation essential to the country’s prosperity.

To view the certificate click here.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre has been shortlisted as one of the four finalists in the “Tourist Attraction” category of the South African Tourism Welcome Awards.

In 2008 Maropeng took top honours at the 2008 Welcome Awards, in the same category, and hopes to do the same this year.

“We strive so hard to deliver a good product to South Africans and international visitors and it makes us very proud to be recognised like this. It’s also very motivational for our staff,” says Erica Saunders , Maropeng’s marketing manager, on Maropeng’s nominations.

The awards are an initiative by South African Tourism in association with the Tourism Grading Council and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, and were introduced five years ago to recognise service excellence in tourism. In particular they aim to recognise those companies and individuals that offer travellers an authentic South African experience and go the extra mile to deliver service excellence.

Make this Valentine’s Day memorable by spending the weekend at the luxurious Maropeng Hotel in the Cradle of Humankind.

Kick your Valentine’s weekend off with a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, before exploring the sights and sounds of the Maropeng exhibition, or other attractions in the area. Later, indulge in a post-lunch massage in the privacy of your room.

On Saturday evening, Maropeng Hotel Restaurant and the Tumulus Restaurant at the nearby Maropeng Visitor Centre are offering special Valentine’s dinners.

Opt for Maropeng Hotel’s romantic three-course set menu, complete with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and roses for the ladies for R275 per person.

Alternatively, select from the buffet table for R235 per person at the Tumulus Restaurant, and enjoy panoramic views of the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg mountains as you dine.

Hotel accommodation rates are R770 per person sharing. The single supplement is an additional R400, bringing the total to R1170 should you be staying alone.

Please click here to book accommodation and dinners.

Please note: availability is limited so book soon to secure your weekend.

Maropeng has designed a curriculum-linked educators’ resource pack, crammed with practical educational material such as worksheets and learner activities.

The pack aims to help teachers to prepare learners before they visit the Cradle of Humankind, and to give them follow-up assignments afterwards.

The Maropeng Teachers’ Pack is fully integrated with the South African education curriculum, and has been endorsed by the National Department of Education, with a foreword from former minister of education, Naledi Pandor.

Learners at any level, studying any learning area and field, will be able to engage with appropriate content in the exhibitions.

The resource pack has been specifically designed for teachers to structure educational excursions for learners to gain the most from their experience, but Maropeng guides have been trained to use the material and are able to assist when necessary.

Schools can request their free copy of the recourse pack by sending an e-mail to info@maropeng.co.za with their postal address details or by calling Maropeng on +27 (0) 14 577 9000.

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