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Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille doing a pre-inspection at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre at the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State on June 21, 2025.
The National Department of Tourism has handed the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre over to SANParks. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has described the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Free State as a potential economic hub.
Accordingly, this centre will diversify South Africa’s tourism offerings.
The Department and the South African National Parks launched the centre at the Golden Gate Highlands Park in Clarens. Through the multimillion-rand initiative, the discovery of the fossils of dinosaurs which inhabited the eastern Free State millions of years ago will help preserve culture and history.
[MEDIA STATEMENT] World-class Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre opens #GoldenGateDinoCentre #KgodumodumoDinoCentre #SANParks #FreeStateTourism#WorkingforTourism #WeDoTourism@environmentza @gotosouthafrica @visitfreestate pic.twitter.com/d4huRFXS9S
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) June 22, 2025
Nestled in the heart of the Maluti mountain range in the eastern Free State, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre has now claimed centre stage. The centre is unique in that it showcases various dinosaurs from the Triassic period, which are much older than those from the Jurassic period — a true validation of stories told of the Kgodumodumo by the Basotho people throughout time.
Free State Tourism MEC Ketso Makume described the centre as a pride of the Basotho nation.
VIDEO | Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has launched the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says the centre will help attract tourists to the province. She says with the Free State being the least visited province in the country, hidden gems like this will ensure it becomes a prominent tourist destination.
South African National Parks spokesperson Johannes Louw welcomed the national department handing over the centre to SANParks. Louw says they have made strides to ensure the centre is accessible to all people.
[SPEECH] Minister @PatriciaDeLille‘s remarks at the launch of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State #GoldenGateDinoCentre #KgodumodumoDinoCentre #SANParks #FreeStateTourism#WorkingforTourism pic.twitter.com/MggkeK7rpI
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) June 22, 2025
The Basotho Queen, Queen Neo Mopeli, says the centre can serve as part of the Basotho people’s legacy. Queen Mopeli adds that younger generations will be able to learn about the stories and rich heritage of the Basotho nation.
The centre will be accessible to all people free of charge until the end of September.
15 youth graduated from Tourism’s Tourist Guides Training programme receiving NQF Level 2 accredited qualifications in nature and culture guiding. Their skills will enhance the visitor experience at #KgodumodumoDinoCentre. #GoldenGateDinoCentre#SANParks #FreeStateTourism pic.twitter.com/RMh02w1Yqh
— Dept of Tourism (@Tourism_gov_za) June 22, 2025
