Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 10 September 2015 attend and address the announcement by the University of Witwatersrand of major new fossil discoveries at Maropeng in the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site at 08h00.
 
According to the massive team of international and local scientists led by Professors Lee Berger, Paul Dirks and John Hawks, involved in this project, this major discovery will force the world to re-think what it means to be human.
 
This new remarkable discovery follows intensive research by the scientists under the auspices of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence at the University of Witwatersrand. The expedition began in November 2013 culminating in the announcement on Thursday of the most important fossil discovery in the Cradle of Humankind to date.
 
In this regard, the function will witness the unveiling of the largest assemblage of hominin fossils in the African continent and will be attended by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib and Deputy Vice Chancellors of Wits, Minister Edna Molewa the responsible Minister for the World Heritage Convention Act, Acting Gauteng Premier Lebogang Maile, Executive Mayor of West Rand District Municipality Mpho Nawa, Nobel Laureate and eLife Editor Mr Randy Scheckman, Chief Science and Exploration Officer at National Geographic, Mr Terry Garcia as well as guests from academia and key figures in the science, education, environmental and tourism sectors.
 
Issued by: Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
 
The Presidency
Pretoria