M Shilowa: Unveiling cast of Little Foot

7 December 2006

Professor Loyisa Nongxa, Vice-chancellor of the University of
Witwatersrand
Mr Herman Mashaba, Chairperson of the Maropeng board
Professor Ron Clarke
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen

Over a year ago when we gathered here for the renaming of Maropeng, we said
"this is an area that we wish to come to from time to time to converse in
various ways with our ancestors". And here we are again today exactly a year
after the official opening of Maropeng, six years after the Cradle of Humankind
was declared a World Heritage Site gathering for the installation of the cast
of our Little Foot, our oldest ancestor.

It is appropriate that we have gathered here during a season when many would
be taking a break and going home to different places where they once lived to
reconnect, to thank the ancestors for a year lived safely and productively and
to draw inspiration for the coming year. Indeed there are many who will be
spending this time in our province and we invite them to spend at least one day
here to rediscover themselves and their origins.

I am informed that exciting family packages have been developed for families
this Christmas. I call on visitors to our province and our residents to spend a
fun-filled, educational and intellectually stimulating at Maropeng. A day spent
here will cement family unity, avoid temptation to abuse drugs and alcohol and
give children a good subject to boast about to their friends when they return
to school in January.

The replica of Little Foot that we are installing today will certainly help
to attract even more people to this place and give them a deeper understanding
of the evolution of humanity. Once the Little Foot (the most complete fossil
ever found and possibly the oldest in Southern Africa) is completely exhumed in
the course of next year; it will reveal very important information on how
pre-humans looked and how they moved and lived.

Professor Nongxa, on an important occasion like this I think it is important
to salute Prof. Ron Clarke, Nkwane Molefe and Steven Motsumi for their efforts
in bringing Little Foot to light and contributing to our history and our
heritage. I sincerely believe that their efforts have also assisted in ensuring
that Maropeng enjoys its standing as an internationally renowned centre and in
it winning the British Guild of Travel Writers award for the best new tourism
project worldwide last year.

The award by the British Guild of Travel Writers has confirmed that this
place is not only about heritage and palaeoanthropology. It is also about
economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation. It is about the
promotion of tourism in the area.

I am aware that at least 600 permanent jobs and 1 200 temporary jobs have
been created within the Cradle of Humankind as a direct result of the policy
decisions we have taken to attract tourism to this area. Those who are familiar
with the place would be aware that since the start of our Blue IQ projects in
the area, many hospitality areas have sprung up, creating opportunities for
economic development, job creation and poverty alleviation.

The Government of Gauteng remains committed to growing both domestic and
international tourism to our province and our priority is to ensure that the
benefits of this tourism growth are felt by those previously excluded from
participation in the sector.

We say so because we are convinced that our ability to reach 8% economic
growth 2014, our ability to create quality jobs and sustainable livelihoods for
our people depends in large measure on our ability to attract investment and
tourism in our country and our province.

I thank you and look forward to another visit next year to celebrate the
full emergence of Little Foot from the caves of Sterkfontein. Let me take this
opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Christmas and festive season. Be
safe, don't drink and drive and please do not add your names to the list of
people contracting HIV and AIDS. Look after our children, respect our women and
let us stop abuse. I thank you.

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
7 December 2006
Source: SAPA