On Thursday, Brics leaders got an inside look of Maropeng, the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site Visitor Centre in Mogale City via livestream from the Sandton Convention Centre.
The Cradle of Humankind Visitor Centre, which is home to a series of early human fossil discoveries, is becoming one of South Africa’s leading global attractions to host Heads of State, Nobel Prize Winners and other VVIP government as well as private delegations. On the occasion of hosting Heads of State and Nobel Prize Winners, their hands (and previously footprints) are imprinted in clay at a ceremonial event and subsequently permanently installed and displayed at Maropeng.
This handprint imprinting and display symbolically shows their commitment to making a change to human conditions universally. However, Brics leaders could not visit Maropeng due to very tight schedule. As a result, the hands imprinting was done at the Sandton Convention Centre with the assistance of International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.
The programme at Maropeng had its own glamour and attraction of the media. Led by the Minister of Higher Education Naledi Pandor, the delegation included Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, Wits University Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Tawane Kupe, some leading Wits scientists and government officials.
This delegation was treated to viewing of the Little Foot fossil – a complete pre-human skeleton aged over 3 million years and one the Cradle’s foremost discoveries, addresses by the dignitaries and dance performances.
To mark the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth, this Brics hand imprinting ceremony was themed around his contribution and iconic quote, “It is in your hands, to make a difference”. The handprints, including those of President Cyril Ramaphosa, will be displayed alongside those of former President Nelson Mandela, which is housed at the centre.