WEDNESDAY, 1 DECEMBER 1999: Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Valli Moosa today launched a "cradle of humankind" internet site in Johannesburg.

The website aims to create awareness of the Sterkfontein, Swartkrans and Kromdraai palaeontological sites in north-western Gauteng, which have been nominated as World Heritage sites.

The website address is www.cradleofhumankind.co.za

Moosa launched the website at a ceremony at the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment. The website will contain information about the area, profiles of 12 sites within the nominated area, and a community noticeboard.

The launch of the website comes ahead of a vote on Wednesday night by the heritage committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on South Africa's first three nominations for World Heritage Sites.

The nominated areas are Robben Island, the St Lucia Wetlands and the Sterkfontein area.