FROM OUR
MANAGING DIRECTOR

Reflecting on the year that has passed, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has seen its fair share of significant milestones, challenges and opportunities.

90 Years of Success

Reflecting on the year that has past, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has seen its fair share of significant milestones, challenges and opportunities.

Having started our operations on 4th October 1929, we celebrated our 90th anniversary this past year. Over the decades, we have safely transported more than 29 million people to the top of our New7Wonder of Nature. I am so proud of what we have achieved, and we will continue working to maintain our high standards.

Throughout the year we have celebrated this incredible feat, including a gala event with our partners and industry players, a R90 special for locals and hosted a photographic exhibition, which went “behind the scenes” of our annual maintenance projects over the years.

Having been recognised as Africa’s leading tourist attraction in the World Travel Awards, and nominated again as a finalist for leading tourist attraction in Africa and in the world in 2020, there is no doubt that the mountain’s magnetism has a way of drawing people in, compelling them to reach the summit.

As a responsible operator, it is important for us to continue taking a careful approach to operations, specifically in the social and physical environments that are the backbone of our organisation. As part of this, TMACC retained its Diamond Heritage Environmental Rating, recognising five years of continuous environmental performance of the highest standard.

Through our investment in the Kuyasa Housing Project, a low carbon initiative in Khayelitsha, we have been able to offset our carbon emissions, allowing us to achieve a carbon neutral status.

Now, when it is needed most, our focus is to empower our communities and we remain committed to working with various organisations who are able to support us in this goal. Over the past year, we have seen more than 80 organisations participate in our Corporate Social Investment programme.

Our Class in the Clouds programme was started as a way to give back, educate and inspire the youth of local communities, with 8780 taking part in the programme over the past year. We used this year to adapt our Class in the Clouds programme to ensure that all learners are able to experience the wonders of Table Mountain – creating a virtual experience of the mountain, as well as developing downloadable worksheets for learners to use. I am proud of how many incredible young learners have been able to take part in this unique outdoor experience.

In order to boost safety and security in the Table Mountain National Park, TMACC procured three high- tech CCTV cameras for use by SANParks. We are also working closely with the Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) organisation in support of their bid to use the old tennis courts at the top of Kloof Nek Road as a designated helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) landing site.

We continue to build a reputation that is focused on best practice - ultimately ensuring that our visitors enjoy a world-class experience. To deliver this, we have worked to improve the visitor experience through upgrading our ticketing system, renovating our retail outlets, stocking 95% of our retail products from local sources, developing a virtual experience for visitors, and most importantly, improving our health and safety protocols.

We are grateful for the repair work that the City of Cape Town has done to address the deterioration that took place on Tafelberg Road, as well as relocating the bus parking bays to help ease congestion. In our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have continued to engage with industry bodies to ensure that we meet all the necessary health and safety standards, as well as implement measures that will protect our staff and visitors. We remain steadfast that, as we navigate this pandemic, the health and safety of everyone remains our top priority.

No organisation succeeds without its people. There is no doubt that we would not have accomplished all that we have if it were not for the hardworking and dedicated team at TMACC. I cannot thank every single staff member enough for all that they have done over the past year.

I have also been privileged to welcome Giselle Esau to our team as our new Executive Marketing and Brand Manager and Jonathan Skepe to our Human Resources team.

There has been an unwavering determination amongst the team to continue to build on all the great work that was done in 2019, despite all the challenges that we have faced. I do believe that it is with this spirit and resolve that we will go from strength to strength in the coming years.

I believe that the tourism sector – both domestic and international – has a massive role to play in rebuilding our economy. The challenging times that we face as an industry have presented us with many an opportunity for innovation that will ultimately improve travel on the whole.

Wahida Parker
Managing Director