Johannesburg - A major academic war is likely to erupt between Wits University and the North West government following a call by Premier Supra Mahumapelo for the return of the famous Taung skull to the province.
Mahumapelo made the call while addressing more than 5 000 people during Heritage Day celebrations in Orkney on Wednesday.
The skull was discovered by well-known anthropologist Professor Phillip Tobias. It is kept at the university and widely used for research.
Mahumapelo, when questioned, conceded that the university was unaware of their decision. “We first want to engage the national Department of Arts and Culture,” he said, adding that they wanted to use the skull as a tourist attraction.
This was not his only surprise on Wednesday.
He also made an appeal for the province not to be known as North West but as Bokone Bophirima (Setswana version).
The Star