Mbeki: Taung is the pride of Africa

President Thabo Mbeki praised Taung in North West for putting South Africa on the global map as a place where humanity originated

President Thabo Mbeki praised the town of Taung in North West for putting South Africa on the global map as a place where humanity originated.

He was speaking at this year's main Heritage Day celebrations where annual festivities commonly known as the Cultural Calabash attract fun-lovers from around the country. "It is here in Taung that Raymond Dart discovered the fossil bones of our human ancestors. This was to open an important development of research and discovery of human research and evolution," the President said.

"Indeed Taung has placed the country on the world map as a place where humanity originated."

Taung is known internationally through the discovery of a human skull 80 years ago, known as the Taung Skull. The skull was found in a mine quarry and resulted in Taung being declared a world heritage site.

Scientists have said the discovery signified the origin of human in Africa.

(Source: SAPA / September 24 2005)