Tourism attractions in and around the Cradle of Humankind have grown to more than 380, with over half of these offering graded accom- modation. Dinokeng attractions continue to grow.
The Vaal Dam, which supplies water to most of Gauteng’s residents, covers some 300 km2 and is a popular venue for watersports. Numer- ous resorts line the shore. The dam also attracts diverse bird species.
Vanderbijlpark was built during the late 1940s by the then Iron and Steel Corporation to accommodate its employees.
The Sterkfontein Caves near Krugersdorp are the site of the discovery of the famous skull of Mrs Ples, an estimated 2,5-million-year-old hominid fossil, and Little Foot, an almost com- plete hominid skeleton some 3,3 million years old.
The broader Cradle of Humankind site consists of 47 000 ha, with numerous caves, the most famous of which are the Sterkfontein caves.
In 1999, Sterkfontein and its environs were declared a world heritage site.
Forty per cent of all the world’s human ancestor fossils have been found here, includ- ing several of the world’s most famous and important fossils.
A further 500 hominid fossils and more than 9 000 stone tools have been excavated in the area, and work is ongoing.
The Krugersdorp Game Reserve provides sanctuary for several game species, including four of the Big Five. The African Fauna and Bird Park houses various species of wildlife and birds.
The South African National Railway and Steam Museum at Randfontein Estates Gold Mine outside Krugersdorp houses some of the country’s old steam locomotives, a diesel- electric locomotive, and more than 50 vintage passenger coaches. Train rides are offered once a month.
A team of Lippizaner stallions performs every Sunday at the South African National Horsemanship Centre in Kyalami, near Johan- nesburg.