₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugFRuhumPYQ?feature=shared

There are high hopes that the launch of a new, R120 million (€5.8 million) dinosaur interpretation centre, highlighting South Africa’s scientifically important fossil discoveries, will support the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State in its efforts to become an internationally recognised tourist destination.

One of the largest infrastructure projects implemented by the Department of Tourism over the past decade, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre – co-funded by government and the European Union – was officially opened by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dion George on June 22.

It includes various fossil exhibits, interactive displays, timelines and life-sized dinosaur models, drawing attention to the numerous significant paleontological discoveries made within the park and surrounding areas. The discoveries – already well-known in the scientific community – include that of the world’s oldest fossilised dinosaur embryos belonging to Massospondylus carinatus, a five-metre long herbivore that nested in the Free State 200 million years ago.

“This facility is a wonderful addition to our diverse tourism offerings and will ensure repeat visits, keep visitors longer and, more importantly, help visitors spend more money in our captivating destinations,” De Lille said at the launch.

The centre is named after a mythical monster called Kgodumodumo (meaning “Great Giant” in Sesotho), as described in the centre’s introductory video providing a link to the rich storytelling culture of the local Basotho people.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1JjTDUvH9w?feature=shared

Jonah Choiniere, Professor of Comparative Paleobiology at the University of the Witwatersrand, leading research into the area’s paleontological findings, said the centre’s goal is to draw attention to the region’s underappreciated but rich prehistoric history.

“There are very few other places in the world that preserve so many fossils from the Jurassic period. The scientific community knows that this is a dinosaur hotspot. But the target here is to tell this story to South Africans and international tourists while bringing elements of the Basotho culture into this,” said Choiniere.

He said efforts are also underway to have the fossil sites at Golden Gate designated as a National Heritage Site with the possibility of future UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

‘Compelling reason’ to visit SA
FEDHASA National Chairperson Rosemary Anderson described the centre as an “iconic addition to South Africa’s tourism portfolio”.

She said: “In addition to our natural beauty and rich history and culture, this gives paleo enthusiasts a compelling reason to visit South Africa, the Free State, the charming town of Clarens and the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.” The centre enriches South Africa’s existing paleontological narratives, added Anderson.

“South Africa is widely recognised as the Cradle of Humankind – the birthplace of modern humanity. Not only are we home to the origins of humankind but now we can lay claim to being at the frontier of understanding prehistoric life on Earth. It is a powerful reminder of the exceptional depth and breadth of our country’s heritage.”

More pictures of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Center in the Free State province of South Africa.

Nice.

Been to Museum of Natural History in London.

This seems even better.

Dinosaur never existed

Seun what is wrong with you na?

All dis dinosaur matter na one big lie wen oyinbo people create

Lovely. Country with better doings. There's nothing as good as a country with a laid down goals channelled towards rural and national development. I wonder when Naija will start thinking towards this direction. It's not as if we don't have those goal but implementation. Everybody wants to cut their own share. It's wellooo.

I can imagine the amount revenue can be generated from tourism through this project.

In my own country, the money budgeted for that, would have been pocketed by one person.....

Happenings in Kogi(former governor) and current reason why teachers are on strike in Abuja comes to mind!....

Dinosaur never existed it was just a legend imbibed in folktale

I wonder which animals we're taking for granted today that people in future will have to pay to go and see in a museum or exhibition center.

FG will spend 10 trillion naira to build this and it will take like 35 years to complete 😜

How did u know an animal existed 182.5 million years ago?


Them go tell u carbon dating,half life and all that shii

I saw LAUNCHES I taught maybe they have joined the missile gang

I can't laugh. Just as one of this nowadays kids saw leg of cow and he said it is dinosaurs leg....

If you read your Bible you would know that dinosaurs existed but were probably wiped out during Noah's flood.
The fossils being found across the globe should be enough evidence.

kingsavage:
Dinosaur never existed

Seun what is wrong with you na?

they existed long b4 God created Adam and Eve oh. Their complete bones are still being discovered. Even mammoths are still being discovered

God bless SA and it good leaders and talents over others in Africa

Imagine there weren't insecurity, why wouldn't I want to invest in this if I was rich?

If na nigeria dem go eat the dinosaur remains and sell the bones for ritual

To those doubting dinosaurs never exist, you can try go to the museum to confirm and clear your doubt.

kingsavage:
Dinosaur never existed

Seun what is wrong with you na?

When you see real sites and fossils, you would rest.

The nature of Nigeria makes it difficult for you to believe.

gbaskiboy:
Dinosaur never existed it was just a legend imbibed in folktale

If they never existed how then do u explain all the skeletons they have discovered all over the world including the massive one that was discovered in the desert of niger republic years ago which was later transported to the US?

RandDigital:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugFRuhumPYQ?feature=shared

“South Africa is widely recognised as the Cradle of Humankind – the birthplace of modern humanity. Not only are we home to the origins of humankind but now we can lay claim to being at the frontier of understanding prehistoric life on Earth. It is a powerful reminder of the exceptional depth and breadth of our country’s heritage.”

@RandDigital

Are you advertising your country for Tourism or are you trying to make Nigerians jealous of your "Well infrastructed" country.

Either way this topic is misplaced and needs to go to Safferland.com neh!

Hmmm....

I sincerely wonder if dinosaurs were pre or post adamic.

If the latter, why didn't Noah select them in his ark?

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111

gbaskiboy:
Dinosaur never existed it was just a legend imbibed in folktale

Are you serious? Then where /how did the skeletons appear from on different continents at various stages of preservation?
Think again because there are scientific facts and evidences

Magnificenttop:
It's not like they're different or better than Naija, it's just the colonization and oyinbo presence that helped them to be what they're today.
I do not think a solely black society, without help from white can attain significant advancement or become top world country. It's just the sad truth.

I agree with you completely . No be lie at all. And since the blacks took over alot has gone down.
What's wrong with the black skin sef?

This is good, at least it gives the up coming and present kids the opportunity to learn more about them, despite the fact that they have gone extinct..

Kudos 👏 to the initiator of this idea...

Nigeria left the group chat.

Government that does business, not one somewhere in Africa that gives a lame excuses that government have no business in doing business.


Countries that are serious making strategic investment....

Jurassic Park ...

🦕🦖










Reliving prehistory...

But no life in 'em