Laughter and excitement filled Maropeng’s halls yesterday as Gauteng Premier David Makhura first met Homo naledi.
“ Homo naledi gives us back our humanity. It reaffirms that we all as human beings have a common ancestry, which is important in these times of war and world unrest.
“They may look different, but we are all connected. Homo naledi has a wonderful story to tell,” Makhura said.
According to acclaimed palaeontologist and archaeologist Professor Lee Berger and his team of 60 scientists, naledi is believed to sit at the start of the human genus and will probably reveal more about the beginnings of humankind.
Yesterday’s breakfast event included a number of government officials, ambassadors and high commissioners. They were given a panoramic view of the rolling Magaliesberg as a cool breeze set the stage for this first meeting.
“We don’t know the full implications of this discovery, especially for governance and tourism,” Makhura explained.
He said questions, controversy and debate around Berger’s find were not negative.
“Anything that reaffirms Africa as being the cradle of humankind is a good thing.
“Controversy is the name of the game. If something is too easily accepted it may be seen as wrong. We must celebrate the discourse and debate this has created.
“They too were humans in their own way. The important thing is to debunk the myth of patriarchy and racist ideals through such discoveries,” Makhura added.
The Kenyan deputy high commissioner to South Africa Lemarron Kaanto said the discovery of naledi was an opportunity for collaboration and connection.
“We in Africa have a lot of archaeological sites – in Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa… we have to work together and tell our story as a continent.”
US ambassador Patrick Gaspard said Homo naledi was a “spiritual gift” to all.
“The most important thing is the conversation young children are having about this.”
A 3D printed version of the fossil is to travel to the US and the UK. The first is heading to Dallas with Berger today.