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[GALLERY] Walking among giants: Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre launched in Free State
Jacques Nelles 23 June 2025 | 7:35 Free State
Department of Tourism
SANParks
A model of Lesothosaurus diagnostics 'The distinguished lizard of Lesotho' on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Ledumahadi mafube, a 12-ton, 12-meter-long South African dinosaur first discovered in 1989 by James Kitching in the Free State, is considered the heaviest dinosaur to have roamed the prehistoric Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
It is also one of the first dinosaurs to be given a proper African name - "The Giant Thunderclap" - inspired by the sound it may have made as it thundered through the Free State roughly 200 million years ago.
The Ledumahadi mafube dinosaur model at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 22 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
This massive sauropodomorph is one of South Africa's more well-known dinosaurs, now brought to life in full-scale artistic models at the newly launched Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State.
Parts of the found skeleton of the Ledumahadi mafube dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
The state-of-the-art centre, officially opened by Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille, is a collaboration between the Department of Tourism and SANParks, designed to enhance the visitor experience at the park.
The facility features several life-sized sculptures and provides an exceptional educational experience in paleontology, archaeology, and geology geared towards inspiring curiosity in both young and old visitors about our country's ancient past.
A display of dinosaur eggs at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 21 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
Early BaSotho communities discovered fossilised bones and footprints of unknown creatures scattered across their homelands, sparking the creation of myths and legends that still echo in BaSotho folklore today.
The legend of Kgodumodumo tells of a monstrous being that terrorised villages, devouring anything in its path. When it moved, it shook the very mountains of the BaSotho homeland. One brave young man, Moshanyana wa Senkatana, who grew up hiding from the beast, grew strong and clever in his constant efforts to evade it. After the creature swallowed half his people, he allowed himself to be eaten, armed with food and fire, and ultimately cooked the beast from within, killing it and freeing those trapped inside.
Visitors to the newly launched Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
His Majesty Moremoholo Mopeli of the Bakoena Kingdom, who cut the ribbon alongside Minister De Lille on 22 June 2025, expressed his pride in seeing the heritage of his people displayed in such a powerful way.
"A lot of the information you see here, the storytelling, the narration, was done by us and our people," he said.
A model of Heterodontosaurus tucki on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
The centre now employs at least 15 permanent staff, many from the surrounding communities. Locals are encouraged to offer goods and services to both domestic and international tourists, with the hope of growing the local economy through this new attraction.
A visitor looks up at a model of Dracovenator regenti, the apex predator of South Africa 200 million years ago on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
Funded by the European Union, the R120 million Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre is a celebration of African history, science, and storytelling.
An artist's reconstruction model of a 'Massospondylus', South Africa's most famous dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
For a limited time, SANParks is offering free access to all South African citizens until 30 September 2025, an open invitation to walk among giants and rediscover the ancient wonders beneath our feet.
Visitors take pictures of an artist's reconstruction model of a 'Massospondylus', South Africa's most famous dinosaur on display at the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, located in SANParks' Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State, on 22 June 2025. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
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