Maropeng, the official visitor centre for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage site received four gold awards and a silver at the seventh West Rand Tourism Awards.

The awards, hosted by the West Rand District Municipality in association with Gauteng Tourism, took place at Mount Usambara in Krugersdorp on Friday

20 June 2014 and recognised and celebrated business owners, products and services that have displayed exceptional service and value for money to tourists visiting the West Rand.

The awards recognise excellence in the following categories: accommodation; food and beverage; MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events); tourist guides; tour operators; travel agencies; and tourism experiences and activities.

Maropeng received the following awards:

Gold Awards

• Cultural Site Guide: Mathabele Tsikoane
• Best Educational Experience – category winner: Maropeng Visitor Centre
• Best Tourism Experience: Maropeng Visitor Centre
• Best Tourism Establishment in the West Rand: Maropeng

Silver Award

• Large Conference and Events Venue: Maropeng Conference Centre

“We are very proud of our achievements and are honoured that we are now an entrenched part of the tourism sector on the West Rand,” said Maropeng marketing and communications manager, Lindsay Marshall. “We were thrilled for all our guides who entered, especially for Mathabele Tsikoane, who earned a Gold Award.”

Tony Rubin, Maropeng managing director, applauded the staff for all their hard work: “My thanks to my management and staff for the great effort they continue to put into these achievements.”

“Maropeng deserves its place as a leader of the Gauteng Signature Collection, the pinnacle of products in the province. It should be obvious to locals and visitors alike that no visit to Gauteng is complete without the inclusion of Maropeng, the iconic symbol of our universal origins from the African continent,” said Gauteng Tourism Authority CEO, Dawn Robertson.