Author of ‘Cradle of Life’ gets top award

The author of Cradle of Life - The Story of the Magaliesberg and the Cradle of Humankind, Vincent Carruthers, has received the Heritage Association of South Africa’s prestigious Simon Van Der Stel Gold Medal for his "substantial contribution towards the research, recording and conservation of the natural, cultural and historical heritage resources of the Magaliesberg and beyond". "Cradle" was described as a seminal work.

Carruthers is the recipient of a slew of awards and medals as a conservationist including the Gold Medal, Wits University; the Rotary Paul Harris award; the Zoological society of South Africa and a lifetime award from the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. He has contributed substantially towards preserving South African heritage and promoting conservation.

In “Cradle of Life The Story of the Magaliesberg and the Cradle of Humankind” (published in August 2019) the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, the heart of the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve, is described as the jewel in South Africa’s evolutionary crown. It has attracted world-wide interest and furnished key evidence about where, when, and how life and landscape have evolved.

Carruthers guides readers along a timeline, from the birth of our planet through to developments in the 21st century. He documents the formation of our landscapes and the emergence of life, the rise of hominins, the stone and iron ages, early settlement, migrations, wars and modern developments in the Magaliesberg. It is well illustrated with photos, maps and diagrams, portraying the intrigue and importance of the site.

Carruthers has spent his adult life living and working in the Magaliesberg. He led the campaign to have the region proclaimed a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 2015 and worked with the teams that nominated the World Heritage Site.

The award-winning environmentalist has written and contributed to many publications, among them “The Magaliesberg“, ”Wildlife of Southern Africa“, and ”A Complete Guide to the Frogs of Southern Africa“ (with Louis du Preez). - Books Editor