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Just asking whether the Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre has been opened yet?

As far as I remeber it was due to be opened by March 2010?

Thanks in advance

Hi, samas12.
Was there at end of March 2010 but it still was not open to the public - I was also hoping to get into it then. Going again in September and hope that it will be open by then. If not I will have an excuse to back to Mapungubwe again in a couple of months!

Just had last weekend at Mapungubwe and went into the interpretive centre which still has scaffolding all over the place and workmen busy. The building is beautiful, a very interesting design, and incorporating lots of local stone.

The staff told us it is to be opened on Heritage Day, 24 Sept.

How lucky can one get!!

As far as I know, the opening will be on Heritage day, 23rd September. A most appropriate day, indeed.

Besembek, when I saw your dates I thought you had planned to be at the opening!

Did not plan to be at the opening, and I guess it will only be by invitation. At the time we booked I didn't know when the official opening would be. However, I hope to be able to get in there by Sunday, Monday or so after the official opening. I do work for a publishing house, maybe i should try and organise myself a press invite!!! For me, the wife, my dad. the two kids...

Please someone from Sanparks, help me here!!

Was the Interpretive Centre opened on 24 Sept? Anyone got a report or some pics?

I saw an insert on 50/50 in about August where I saw it was progressing but not complete yet.

We were there over the long weekend in September (and a day or so before and after). The answer is NO. We were told at reception that it now will only be opened in December 2010, but no date was given. The receptionist told us that we may walk around the building but may not enter. We took a drive right up to the building but decided not to bother to get out and save the visit for when it is opened. Another excuse to go back to Mapungubwe next year!

Thanks, Besembek. When nothing was mentioned anywhere I suspected that the planned opening had been delayed.

In June we looked inside the building but there was nothing inside at that time, only scaffolding and workmen. They have probably got stuff in there now and not ready be viewed yet.

Thanks for the update. Did you have a good visit? Won't you do a short trip report? Even without pics it would be good to hear what game was around, etc.

For all practical reasons you can say I live next door. Sorry the interpretation venue & museum has not opened. The builders etc has to do some follow up work and the museum and shops still need to be fitted etc.I heard from a little yellow bird that the official opening will only be in the new financial year.

Wish I lived next door .
Thanks for the info, BiancaE. It looks like it will be very nice when finished.

Could not get to Mapungubwe this year like planned. Any news on the Interpretation Centre - Is it open yet?

besembek,

During our visit in October 2011 school holidays the interpretation centre was not opened and you could not even get close to the building. A large sign indicating no-entry and construction in progress was placed at the turn-off to the centre. It was really disappointing because the whole idea of our visit was to see the exhibits in the centre.

You can still go on a walking tour to the hill, but I am not very fit and would have prefer a place where one can learn and see something of the history at your own pace like at Sterkfontein

Cars were parked in front of the centre so they might be working inside getting the exhibits in place. Not sure when he opening day will be?

Thank you for the update, Son godin.

Now I don't feel so bad about NOT getting to Mapungubwe this year! However, I must be honest: I NEED to get out there again SOON. In the meantime four nights in Skukuza will have to do in mid November. Better something than nothing!