The world-class geology of the White Mfolozi River section

Building a geo-tourism and geo-education partnership between SA Earth Science departments and African Habitat Conservancy

Grant Bybee (Wits) & Trishya Owen-Smith (UJ)

4.56 billion years of Earth

Matatane preserves a snapshot of the Earth in its infancy ~ 3 billion years ago

Unique geology of the White Mfolozi River section AND How South African Earth science departments use the Matatane area

The importance of preserving access to the White Mfolozi River section


  • Unique geo-tourism opportunity alongside wildlife tourism
  • Develop high school education program, along with local community introduction to geology
  • Social development as curators of spectacular geology for southern Africa – possibility of UNESCO GeoPark
  • Host overseas scientists and visiting students, along with SA university mapping trips