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Chinese president walks in footprints of the ancients
15 February 2007 By Tiro Mahlakoleng and Clifford Mogotsi AFRICAN efforts to preserve and conserve the continent's heritage were given a shot in the arm when China's President Hu Jintao donated $1-million (about R7-million) to Unesco's African Heritage Fund. Jintao, leader of the People's Republic of China, made the donation during a visit to Maropeng on 7 February. Unesco is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. According to a media release issued by the Cradle of Humankind and Blue IQ Projects, the donation is aimed at helping sub-Saharan Africa to improve the preservation and conservation of cultural and natural heritage. Jintao received a warm welcome from Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, national Minister of Arts and Culture Pallo Jordan, national Minister of Education Naledi Pandor and Gauteng MEC for finance and economic Affairs Paul Mashatile. Speaking to the Chinese visitors, Shilowa described the Cradle of Humankind as a unifying symbol for the people of the world. "We have differences in language, culture and beliefs but we are one species bound together by a single ancient history. Although you are visiting us from the other side of the world, we welcome you as family." Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan receives $1-million donation from the Minister of Commerce, Bo Xilai
Shilowa used the opportunity to reinforce Mogale City's new motto, "City of Human Origin", which was coined at the City's strategic session in December. "The site symbolises the importance of the African continent as the continent which gave birth to humanity."
Jordan stressed that the preservation and protection of sites like this was important beyond Africa. "Maropeng tells us that while we are a diverse culture, we come from one family."
During a tour of the Cradle of Humankind, the Chinese delegation visited the Maropeng Visitor Interpretation Centre, where they saw a fossil exhibition; the in situ cast of Little Foot; the original fossil of Mrs Ples, which is over two million years old; and the skull of an Australopithecus africanus, an early human ancestor.
Shilowa gave Jintao casts of Early Acheulean and Oldowan stone tools.
Mogale is no stranger to Chinese visitors: in November 2006 a municipal delegation from the city of Wujiang signed a mutual agreement with Mogale City's executive mayor Calvin Seerane. That deal resulted in a business and exchange partnership aimed at benefiting the economies of both cities.
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President Ju Hinatao and China's First Lady view one of the fossils in the tumulus
Related stories Little Foot cast unveiled at Maropeng
Gauteng premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, and President of China, Ju Hinatao
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