The Sterkfontein Caves, situated at the Cradle of Humankind, near Johannesburg, were opened to the public from the 15th April 2025.
Wits University who has managed the site since 1966, announced the reopening of one of humanity’s most important palaeontological sites, also declared a world heritage site, by the United Nations (UNESCO).
The Caves are world famous for their hominin fossil discoveries including the iconic “Mrs Ples” (1947) and “Little Foot” (1997), in addition to the hundreds of other fossils of human relatives. These discoveries are significant for informing the global community of human evolution and the origins of humanity.
Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Science, said whilst previously serving primarily as a tourist destination, attracting thousands of international and local visitors, the reimagined Wits Sterkfontein Caves will offer a more immersive research and educational experience, bringing visitors closer to the science that has defined the site for nearly 100 years.
“This reopening represents a significant evolution in how we share the story of human origins. Visitors now have unique opportunities to engage with active live science and research, all happening in real time” said Chetty.
Under the new management structure, Dr Job Kibii will serve as the Head of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves, overseeing daily operations and visitor experiences, while Professor Dominic Stratford will continue to lead research activities as the research permit holder.
Wits said the enhanced visitor experience will direct interactions with scientists and students conducting research, behind-the-scenes access to fossil preparation laboratories, offer guided tours of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves with an enhanced scientific context, provide educational programmes focused on human evolution and palaeoanthropology, as well as other scientific disciplines in the Earth Sciences, such as Climate Science and Geosciences, and exhibits showcasing the latest discoveries and research findings.
Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, said “the reopening of the Wits Sterkfontein Caves represents an exciting opportunity to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and the public’s understanding of science. By making science more accessible, we hope to inspire the next generation of researchers while helping everyone connect more deeply with our shared human story.”
Picture: TripAdvisor