Table Mountain shortlisted for New 7 Wonders Spot
Table Mountain from Bloubergstrand, photo courtesy Jen van Wijn.
Table Mountain has been shortlisted as one of 28 natural sites from around the world competing for a place on the New 7 Wonders list.
The mountain has beaten the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Azure Window in Malta and the Rock of Aphrodite in Cyprus, for a spot on the shortlist.
Table Mountain is competing with the only other shortlisted African site, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, as well as legendary natural wonders including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Grand Canyon in the United States and the Amazon in South America, for one of the top seven spots.
The competition is run by the New 7 Wonders Foundation, based in Zurich, Switzerland, which aims to spread the message that preserving natural sites is something every one of us should care about.
“We were really excited when our mountain made it through to the list of 77 sites voted in by the public. And we are now delighted that the judges have shown their appreciation for this World Heritage Site and given Table Mountain a chance to compete against other incredible natural phenomena,” said Sabine Lehmann, CEO of Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The Cableway, together with Table Mountain National Park, have formed an official supporting committee to champion the mountain’s cause.
Candidates in the Official New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign are clearly defined natural sites that have been neither created, nor significantly altered, by humans.
Table Mountain, taken from the boat returning from Robben Island. Photo courtesy Richard Tanswell.
“Thank you to all who voted Table Mountain onto the top 77 list. Now that we are in the final list of 28, we will put all our energy behind drumming up support from around the world to see that Table Mountain makes it to the final 7,” said Lehmann.
A number of South African celebrities and sports stars showed their support for Table Mountain in the earlier rounds. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, comedian Marc Lottering, radio DJ Natalie Becker and the Proteas cricket team, all cast votes for Table Mountain.
Voting for the New 7 Wonders of Nature will continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. Even if you voted in a previous round, you can vote again. Help South Africa claim a place on the New 7 Wonders list, by voting for Table Mountain now.
To vote for Table Mountain, visit www.new7wonders.com or call 0041 77 312 4041 and select Table Mountain’s four-digit code, 7725.
The New 7 Wonders will be announced in 2011.
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