Archbishop Desmond Tutu supports Table Mountain’s New7Wonders of Nature bid

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• By Roy Barford
• 6 May 2010

Archbishop Desmond Tutu voting for Table Mountain to be one of the final seven New7Wonders of Nature. Photo courtesy Skye Grove

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a much-loved South African personality, has thrown his weight behind Table Mountain’s bid to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

Table Mountain is currently on the shortlist of 28 natural sites, which are each competing for one of seven spots on the final list. The decision is based purely on the number of online votes each attraction receives.

Announcing his support for Table Mountain’s bid, at Ginja restaurant in Cape Town today, the Archbishop had the media and invited guests in stitches. Talking about the voting process, he said: “It is so easy these days, you just go ‘click click’, and it’s done, you don’t have to stand in a line or anything like that!”

He said he is thrilled to be part of the campaign. “Table Mountain is a treasure. It is recognised worldwide. It deserves to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature.”

The Archbishop explained that when former president, Nelson Mandela, had been a prisoner on Robben Island, he and fellow inmates used to look across to Table Mountain, which they saw as a “beacon of hope”.

With great pride, he reminded those present that Table Mountain had no political links. “It belongs to all of us,” he said.

Sabine Lehmann, CEO of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company, said she hopes that as one of the New7Wonders of Nature, Table Mountain will be incorporated into education programmes around the world, so that school children would learn about it.

She reminded those who voted for Table Mountain in the previous round of voting, that they needed to do so again, as well as getting everyone they know to do the same.

At present, around 98% of votes for Table Mountain have been cast by people from outside South Africa.

Table Mountain was initially one of 440 natural sites listed to bid to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature.

Cast your vote for Table Mountain now.