Patricia de Lille urges tourists to explore South Africa beyond the usual attractions - IOL

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is urging visitors to explore lesser-known South African attractions, including the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Free State.

South Africa has no shortage of beautiful destinations, but Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille wants travellers to discover more of what the country has to offer, from dinosaur fossils in the Free State to comforting local food.

Speaking to IOL, De Lille, at the global launch of Club Med South Africa in Durban, highlighted the need for government and the private sector to work together to market South Africa, while encouraging the tourism industry to showcase new experiences to visitors.

“As government, we only invest R1 billion into marketing South Africa as a destination. But the private sector puts in R30 billion,” De Lille said.

“So you can't have the one competing with the other; we need to work together.”

For De Lille, one way of attracting both first-time and repeat visitors is by putting the spotlight on lesser-known tourism products.

One of the attractions she highlighted is the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State.

The centre, which opened in June 2025, combines palaeontology, archaeology, geology and cultural heritage, with exhibitions focused on South Africa's prehistoric past. It is also located in an area associated with some of the world's oldest known dinosaur embryos. 

“Did you know in the Free State we've got the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre built inside a national park called the Golden Gate?” De Lille asked.

“And there are many dinosaur eggs and embryos that have been discovered in that area. We built it.”

The attraction has already proved popular. SANParks reported that more than 8 000 guests had visited the centre since its opening, with the majority being domestic travellers. 

De Lille believes attractions such as this can give repeat visitors another reason to explore South Africa.

“So it's up to us, all of us, to show new products that people would like to come and visit. Especially our repeat visitors to South Africa,” she said.

And she had a playful message for anyone who thinks dinosaurs are only the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters.

“Not this nonsense of Jurassic Park,” she joked.

Visitors can find the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Glen Reenen inside the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Eastern Free State, South Africa.

Of course, no Heritage Month conversation would be complete without talking about food.

When asked what she had been eating during Heritage Month, De Lille immediately revealed that she has a soft spot for traditional South African favourites, such as pap n vlies, chakalaka and koeksisters.

“But you know what is best and I love most? A steamed bread with oxtail and some carrots in there,” she said.

“And then slurp up the sauce with the steamed bread. That is my favourite.”