March 2011 marks the start of a national campaign on awareness of water security. Maropeng supports this initiative as we believe that preserving water is the responsibility of every human being on the planet.
The United Nations' World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) says that the lack of water preservation is a global crisis. But we can make a difference and one way is to think about these three WWAP water statistics:
- Each person needs 20-50 litres of safe, fresh water a day to ensure their basic needs for drinking, cooking and cleaning.
- In developing countries, 70 percent of industrial waste is dumped untreated into waters where it pollutes the usable water supply.
- Half of the world's wetlands have been lost since 1900.
The national Department of Water Affairs celebrates National Water Week annually, to coincide with World Water Day on March 22. According to the department’s website, the objective of the campaign is to “raise awareness among South Africans about the role of water in social and economic development including the need to get citizens to change their attitudes towards water use”.
Maropeng will be raising awareness through a series of articles on our website, which will highlight different issues regarding water preservation.
The exhibition at the Maropeng Visitor Centre also contains extensive information about global environmental sustainability, water shortages and water preservation. In addition, we have created an educational resource pack, which is free for anyone to download.
Maropeng is also actively engaging with water preservation practices by maintaining its own artificial wetland system.
Visit Maropeng this month to learn more about how you can make a difference in preserving our water.
As we head into the third month of the year, Maropeng has organised amazing events, ensuring that there is something for you to do every weekend at the Cradle of Humankind.
Next Cooper’s Cave picnic and walking tour: March 5
Cooper’s Cave is a fossil excavation site only 1.2 km from the Sterkfontein Caves. Join palaeoanthropologist Christine Steininger
as she gives an informative presentation on evolution with her cast of hominid characters. Afterwards, you will get the rare opportunity to venture into the cave, as well as explore the nearby excavation site, which is like a “living museum” as it is extremely rich with animal and plant fossils. The morning ends off with a delicious picnic lunch, catered by Maropeng.
The cost for the whole morning is R350 per person. This is a great event perfectly suited to families, as it is an opportunity for children and parents to learn and explore together.
Click here to book online for the following dates: March 5, April 2 and May 7.
Next Stargazing presentation – Living amongst the stars: March 12
At this month’s stargazing event, Living amongst the stars, discover the stories that the stars hold about how the universe began. Maropeng’s resident astronomer Vincent Nettmann will reveal how the stars are related to the origins of humankind on Earth.
After the presentation, enjoy a buffet dinner. A range of large-aperture telescopes will be set up Tumulus Restaurant deck for stargazing. Remember to bring binoculars so you can participate in this laser-guided sky tour.
The evening is subject to weather conditions and costs R190 per adult and R90 per child (four to 14 years).
Click here to book online for the following dates: March 12, April 30 and May 21.
Next Swartkrans picnic and walking tour: March 19
The Cradle of Humankind is home to fascinating fossil-rich sites, which have revealed many secrets about how our ancient hominid ancestors survived on Earth many years ago. Swartkrans is one of these sites and is well known for evidence of some of the first controlled use of fire by hominids. Fossils of Paranthropus robustus, a hominid which is believed to have lived around 2-million years ago, have also been found at Swartkrans.
This site is usually closed to the public, but Maropeng is giving adults the opportunity to explore it with Morris Sutton, a researcher from the University of Witwatersrand who is currently excavating there. The Swartkrans walking tour and picnic is R350 and is open to adults only.
Click here to book for the following dates: March 19, April 16 and May 14.
Weekend accommodation specials
Maropeng is running weekend accommodation specials at our award-winning boutique hotel on the Saturday nights of our Swartkrans, Cooper’s and stargazing events. For a combined discounted rate per person sharing, spend a night at the hotel and wake up to breakfast on the deck overlooking the best views of Gauteng in the Cradle of Humankind. Click here to book for the following dates: Cooper's Cave March 5, Stargazing March 12
, and Swartkrans March 19.
The Sunday carvery lunches are a long-time favourite at the Maropeng Visitor Centre and a perfect getaway not too far from the city.
Gautengers can enjoy lunch on the Tumulus Restaurant deck and then spend the afternoon exploring the award-winning exhibition or visiting the nearby Sterkfontein Caves to learn more about the origins of humankind.
The carvery includes a choice of two roasts, salads and desserts. The band Acoustic Moodz provides entertainment for the afternoon. Lunch costs R135 per adult, R75 per child or you can choose the R50 menu option for children.
Visit Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves for the combined ticket price of R190 per adult and R110 per child (4 to 14 years).
Click here to book online for the Sunday carvery lunch.
The Maropeng Conference Centre offers delegates a professional and unique space to host their workshops or meetings in the scenic Cradle of Humankind.
We recently hosted one of six workshops for the Climate Leadership Programme and the venue was rated highly by delegates: “Maropeng was a perfect setting for the meeting. It gave me the opportunity to appreciate the origin of humankind and track the history of our species,” said Barney Kgope, programme manager for climate change with the National Business Initiative.
Being able to look out onto the picturesque valleys of the Witwatersberg and Magaliesberg mountain ranges during a conference allows delegates to feel as if they are on holiday rather than at work.
Executive conference packages include:
- Half-day at Maropeng: R434
- Full day at Maropeng: R488
- 24 hours at Maropeng: R1 819
- 24 hours at Maropeng with Maropeng tour: R1 934
- 36 hours at Maropeng: R2 253
- 24 hours at Maropeng with combined tour (Maropeng and Sterkfontein tours): R2 443
- Full day at Maropeng with sundowners (two drinks per person and snacks): R598
- 24 hours at Maropeng with stargazing: R1 999
- 24 hours at Maropeng with Maropeng tour and sundowners (two drinks per person and snacks): R2 004
- 24 hours at Maropeng with cave sundowners and hotel braai (two drinks per person and snacks): R2 009
- 36 hours at Maropeng with game drive: R3 823
- 36 hours at Maropeng with elephant experience: R3 998
- 36 hours at Maropeng with game and elephant experience: R4 248
- 24 hours at Maropeng with a balloon safari: R5 262
These rates are quoted per person single and include dinner and breakfast. For more information or to book your events, email info@maropeng.co.za or contact Maropeng on +27 (0) 14 577 9000.
