COMPANY
PURPOSE
Our purpose is to share our passion for Table Mountain by giving everyone an authentic experience of an iconic natural wonder.
TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL
CABLEWAY CO (PTY) LTD
DIRECTORS
- A Ray (Chairman)*#•
- A Pillay#
- W Parker (Managing)
- F H Stroebel*#•
- R Fenner*
- M N Skade•
- C Gooden*
- T Adams (Alternate)
- S Hercules (Financial)
- P de Waal (Alternate)
- B Moore*#
- D Parker (Alternate)
- *Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
- •Member of the Social and Ethics Committee
- #Member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee
REGISTERED OFFICE
Lower Cable Station
Tafelberg Road
Cape Town
8001
Lower Cable Station
PO Box 730
Cape Town
8000
AUDITORS
- Moore Stephens
- Chartered Accountants
BANKERS
- First National Bank
- Southern Africa Limited
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER
1926/002949/07
BOARD COMMITTEES
*Audit and Risk Committee
Constituted in terms of Section 94 of the Companies Act and comprises of at least three members who are independent non-executive Directors elected by the shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting.
#Remuneration and Nomination Committee
Constituted in accordance with the recommendations of King III and comprises no fewer than three non-executive Directors of whom the majority must be independent.
•Social and Ethics Committee
Constituted in terms of Section 72(4), read with Regulation 43(5), of the Companies Act and comprises no fewer than three Directors, one of whom must be a non-executive Director.
FROM OUR
MANAGING DIRECTOR
DEAR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES
As I write this letter, I am reminded of what an incredible team of hard-working men and women we have at the Cableway. The past 18 months or so have taught me many lessons, but perhaps one of the most important has been the value of teamwork.
We have been through a tumultuous mix of incredible highs and depressing lows since the start of the pandemic. There is still much uncertainty about how the Covid-19 virus will play out in weeks and months to come, but the one thing I am certain of is that we are stronger and more likely to succeed if we stand together.
This is the driving motivation behind our #TheCablewayLovesLocal campaign. If all tourism and travel role players can stand together and help one another, we can ensure that our entire industry survives.
Our team has done incredible work this year, under very difficult conditions, and for this I am eternally grateful. Our 92nd year of operation has been unlike any we have had before, but we have managed to keep our programmes running as best we could.
Through this hard work and dedication, we were able to retain our Diamond heritage environmental status, the highest honour awarded by the Heritage Environmental Management Company. We also improved our visitor experience through automated rescheduling of tickets; auto refunds; extending the birthday special ticket; a free upgrade for Cable Card holders; and, most importantly, moving the ticketing system to a cloudbased solution.
To ensure the safety of our visitors, we deployed various maintenance strategies – time-based maintenance, time-based inspections, and vibration and ultrasound analysis.
During the year, we conducted our biannual testing of the track ropes, installed abseil stations for use during powerline repairs, and installed a new fire-hydrant booster system. Full-load emergency brake testing and testing of the automatic emergency brake system were all completed this year.
Our unwavering commitment and dedication have earned us a nomination as World’s Leading Tourist Attraction and, for the first time, World’s Leading Cable Car Ride in the 2021 World Travel Awards.
We look forward to the opening of a Vida e Caffè coffee shop at the lower cable station and we are extremely optimistic about the launch of our new fast-track lane, which we believe will greatly assist us when our international visitors return. I am confident of a resurgence in the industry and thank the executive management and staff for their continued commitment to ensuring that we remain the best.
I am happy that we have continued to show our steadfast commitment to the safety of our visitors and our colleagues, especially as we combat the spread of Covid-19. I hope the increasing pace of the national vaccination roll-out will eventually allow us to open our industry completely, so that we can get back to the visitor numbers we have seen in the past.
In closing, my sincere appreciation to every member of the TMACC team for what you have achieved over the past year. I invite you to peruse the pages of this Annual Report to reflect on the incredible work you have done in what has been a very tough year.
I am proud to call you my colleagues, and I send you my warm regards. Please look after yourselves, and please take care of your families and loved ones.
WITH BEST WISHES
WAHIDA
2020/2021
THE YEAR OF COVID-19
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) celebrated its 92nd year of operations
More than 95% of our retail products are sourced locally
More than 40 organisations participated in our CSI programme
TMACC retained its diamond status rating from the Heritage Environmental Management Company in recognition of five years’ continuous commitment to environmental performance of the highest standard.
THE COMEBACK SPECIAL
(AND OTHER PROMOTIONS)
After months of lockdown we were able to reopen to the public, offering locals the opportunity to visit our African wonder through a host of new and existing specials:
-
THE LOCKDOWN
BIRTHDAY SPECIALSouth Africans who celebrated a birthday during the time the Cableway was closed because of the lockdown were offered a chance to redeem their free birthday ticket in the month of September 2020.
-
THE BIRTHDAY
SPECIALWas extended from the day of a person’s birthday to being valid for the month of their birthday.
-
THE COMEBACK
SPECIALBuy one full return ticket and get two for free. This special ran for the month of September 2020.
-
CABLE CARD
For hikers, climbers and fans of Table Mountain, the Cable Card – the Cableway’s frequent-user card – provides year-round access to the Cableway. It’s valid for one year. As a result of the pandemic we offered an automatic and free one year extension for all Cable Card-holders, starting March 2020.
-
STUDENT SPECIAL
Local and international students pay a reduced rate daily. A valid student card is required.
-
SENIOR CITIZENS
South African senior citizens aged 60 and older pay a reduced rate. SA ID is required.
PARTNERSHIPS
AND SPONSORSHIPS
The Cableway actively seeks to collaborate with tourism industry stakeholders. As such, it is represented on a number of tourism boards, and collaborates on events and projects. In 2020/21, these partnerships were kept active through virtual meetings and events.
CAPE TOWN TOURISM
The Cableway is proud to be a long-standing executive partner of Cape Town Tourism, the city’s official destination marketing organisation.
CAPE TOWN BIG 6
The Cableway continues to pursue cross-marketing opportunities and insight-sharing through our participation in the Cape Town Big 6 marketing collaboration.
African Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions (AAVEA) conference:
The Cableway is a patron sponsor of the annual AAVEA conference and continues to share its key learnings and success in the attractions management industry with conference delegates. The 2020 conference, which was hosted as a virtual event, attracted 100 international and local delegates.
CABLEWAY MARKETING HIGHLIGHTS
CAMPAIGNS
Despite budget cuts, the cableway launched some engaging campaigns during the year including:
-
A private cable car offering and giveaway
-
#SpottedatTable-MountainCableway
-
The Cableway Charity Challenge
-
Women’s
month -
Take a Hike Day
-
A special visit from Siya Kolisi and family
-
The launch of the Table Mountain ‘Move it’ Dance
AWARDS
CABLEWAY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
AT THE CABLEWAY
With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting our operations, our responsible tourism efforts were brought into sharper focus this year.
WATER
Achieved: 8.85 Litres/person
Target: 5 Litres/person
ELECTRICITY
Achieved: 3.27kWh/person
Target: 1kWh/person
WASTE TO LANDFILL
Achieved: 60% waste created
Target: 40% waste created
RECYCLING
Achieved: 40% waste recycled
Target: 60% waste created recycled
SAFETY AT THE
CABLEWAY
The global pandemic presented our Health and Safety Department with opportunities to implement its work safety protocols in line with international standards. Candice Syce, our Covid-19 officer, oversaw the following:
TRAINING SESSIONS
EXTERNAL TRAINING
First aid
refresher and advanced trauma management training, 21 and 22 October 2020 – 16 persons
Fire and evacuation
warden training, 17 June 2021 – nine persons
two new
Health and safety
were trained on 27 and 28 January 2021 – RR Rossouw and B Classens
Emergency evacuation
training – L. Hantam and AR Kuhn
SAFETY PROTOCOLS
SECURITY
CCTV set up so that there’s an operator focus on all Covid violations within departments and common areas – all incidents are reported to the line manager, who in turn reports to the respective department head for further investigation
Screening of all contractors and staff by security before entering the building
All suppliers complete a screening sheet a day before contractors come on site
Visitors and delivery companies to level 1, and people who have an appointment to see a specific department head, are also screened before entering the building. A notification to the department head will be sent via WhatsApp
THE FOLLOWING STAFF TRAINING ALSO TOOK PLACE:
Online customer service training
Training on leave policy
Fire-drill training
Social media policy
Health and safety policy
Environmental policy
Road management policy
Level 1 Covid-19 protocols
VIP access/fast-track
Emergency evacuation
Crisis management
Fire-panel training
Queue management procedure
THE CABLEWAY CARES
Each year the Cableway issues tickets to non-profit organisations, the underprivileged and school learners, giving them the opportunity to experience our attraction through our CSI (corporate social investment) and Class in the Clouds programmes:
CSI PROGRAMME
Forty (40) organisations (NPOs, NGOs and community organisations) participated in our CSI programme in this reporting period.
CLASS IN THE CLOUDS
The Class in the Clouds programme, launched in 2001, runs weekdays, from 1 March to 31 October each year, providing learners with amazing views, fun activities, interesting walks and the most fascinating facts about Table Mountain, a wonder of nature.
In 2020/21, only 584 learners participated in the Class in the Clouds programme because of
Covid-19
To date, 313 512 learners have benefited from Class in the Clouds.
TEAM
CABLEWAY
We celebrated some big milestones in the Cableway team during the reporting period and, despite a quiet year, we kept all our programmes running as best we could.
CABLEWAY HEADCOUNT
As at the end of June 2021, the total headcount of permanently employed staff members at the Cableway was 165:
TEAM HR
STAFF MOVEMENT
LINDA XAMENI
On 1 June 2021 we appointed Linda Xameni to the HR Department as Admin Assistant, after Zainab Sallie resigned from her position as HR assistant effective 21 May 2021. Linda has been at the Cableway for five years and is an asset to the Company.
LONG SERVICE
CELEBRATIONS
05YEARS OF SERVICE
| Name | Surname |
|---|---|
| Anthony | Kuhn |
| Kurt Edwin Ralph | Kinnear |
| Linda | Xameni |
| Keith | November |
| Anthea | Botha |
| Robin | Hendricks |
| Phillip Leslie | Smuts |
| Godfrey | Kasper |
| Wahida | Parker |
| Keagan | Moodley |
| Rudy | Van Dieman |
| Aphiwe | Batala |
| Jennalee | Du Meyer |
| Jerome | Jales |
| Keagan | Moodley |
| Magdalene | Grovers |
| Mandisa | Sitole |
| Mirriam | Visagie |
| Muriel | Mahilihili |
| Nicholaas | Kasper |
| Nicole | Blows |
| Noluvo | Mrwetyana |
| Nomvuyo | Mbungwana |
| Pasteur | Nkurunziza |
| Rieyaaz | Harris |
| Shaun-Douglas | Stringer |
| Siyabonga | Setong |
| Vuyiseka | Tyam |
10YEARS OF SERVICE
| Name | Surname |
|---|---|
| Johdrick | Monzinger |
| Ismail | Dollie |
| Selma | Hercules |
| Octavia | Nkomombini |
| Tonderai | Musekiwa |
| Awonke | Mahlasela |
| Bridgette | Richards |
| Prudencia Phumezile | Ndaba |
| Gary | Greenfield |
| Jesca | Mukwesha |
| Keith | Marais |
| Lorenzo | Galant |
| Mogammed | Brown |
| Mvuyisi | Myata |
| Phumla | Maqate |
| Tania | Geldenhuys |
15YEARS OF SERVICE
| Name | Surname |
|---|---|
| Beauty | Hlekiso |
| Lungelwa | Mondliwa |
20YEARS OF SERVICE
| Name | Surname |
|---|---|
| Taryn | Skuce |
TMACC WELLNESS DAYS
Despite Covid-19 we managed to organise TMACC wellness days, which are a benefit to the staff, especially in these times where health has become so important. These took place on 13 and 14 October 2020. Below is a representation of the participation in the event:
PARTICIPATION PER DEPARTMENT
UIF TERS APPLICATION
We made an application to the UIF Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) for the entire lockdown period that it was available, i.e. 1 April 2020 to 15 December 2020.
RECRUITMENT DRIVE 2020
To assist us in achieving some tough visitor targets given the Pandemic circumstances, we onboarded a limited number of seasonal staff from 1 December 2020 to 31 January 2021. This placed the Company in the fortunate position of having a full complement of staff members during any given shift, as some employees got Covid-19 and had to quarantine – the seasonal staff covered the gaps. In our 2019 recruitment drive we hired 180 seasonal staff, whereas in 2020 we appointed 84 (53% fewer). Below are the numbers of seasonal staff hired per department:
SEASONAL RECRUITMENT
2020
| DEPARTMENT | TOTAL HIRED | PERCENTAGE |
|---|---|---|
| Café | 15 | 17,9 |
| Kitchen | 3 | 3,6 |
| Frontline Operations | 11 | 13,1 |
| Retail | 6 | 7.1 |
| Security | 27 | 31,5 |
| Ticket Office | 7 | 8,3 |
| Hygiene | 13 | 15,5 |
| F&B Stores | 2 | 2,4 |
| Total | 84 | 100 |
TMACC STAFF COVID-19
INDUCTION
As with many companies, we were required to shift our minds and adapt to revised protocols both as a business and as human beings. Conducting Covid-19 induction training sessions was at the forefront of our plan to phase back into work. And we managed to execute this in conjunction with Candice Syce as the facilitator.
SIYAFUNDISA – TMACC’s
ACADEMY OF LEARNING
Siyafundisa is committed to providing learning opportunities to all staff members and the local community – various learning platforms have been created not only to support our staff members, but also unemployed and disabled youth in communities surrounding our iconic natural wonder. Below are some of our achievements over the year:
LEARNERSHIPS (UNEMPLOYED)
We kicked off an exciting new learnership that commenced on 26 August 2020 and ended on 25 August 2021. We offered a National Certificate in Professional Cookery by partnering with Capsicum Culinary Studio, which customised this learning offering to our needs. We are enthusiastic about the continuity of our partnership with Capsicum, and our outreach into the community and business sector. We had 10 unemployed learners who participated in this programme.
NQF LEVEL 4 – NC PROFESSIONAL COOKERY(SAQA ID: 14111)
| Staff Detail | Department | Learner Type |
|---|---|---|
| Saadiqah Masoet | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Saud Ariefdien | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Abongile Manjati | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Marco Lawrence | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Zethu Gxekwa | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Jade Temmers | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Nonelwa Sodoza | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Laaiqah Marshall | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
| Amanda Tafeni | Off-site learnership | Unemployed; learner-contract |
LEARNERSHIPS
(PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES)
| Staff Detail | Department | Learner Type |
|---|---|---|
| Shannen Nero | Off-site learnership | Disabled learner |
| Amkeleni Mali | Off-site learnership | Disabled learner |
BURSARIES
Given our limited training budget in the past financial year, instead of opening bursaries to new applicants, we honoured the previous year’s approved bursaries. Bursaries were granted as follows:
| Staff Detail | Department |
|---|---|
| Siyabulela Thonjeni | Short Programme in Strategic Logistics Management |
| Siyabonga Setong | Postgraduate in Education |
| Rezaan Eze | Matric (Grade 12 Amended Senior Certificate) |
| Keagan Moodley | Adventure Tour Guide (mountaineering) |
| Carl Raikes | Certificate Wine Course |
| Siphokazi Mahilihili | Applied Project Management in an Information Technology Environment |
MENTAL HEALTH IN THE WORKPLACE
To raise awareness of this subject, which can so easily be overlooked, we arranged an online workshop for the executive management team, which covered various mental health matters in the workplace, such as:
Our primary aim was to provide our Executive Team with insight into the signs of mental illness with a view to their being able to intervene timeously and manage situations optimally, to the benefit of both the employee and the organisation.
IMPROVING VISITOR
EXPERIENCE TMACC
TMACC continues to improve the visitor experience. New developments were worked on during the lockdown and implemented when the Cableway reopened:
NUTS
AND BOLTS
FOOD
AND BEVERAGE
OUR PROUD
ACHIEVEMENTS
-
World Travel Awards 2021:
Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction2021
-
PRISM Awards:
Silver PRISM Award for the Comeback Special in the Travel and Tourism category2020
-
2019 African Responsible Tourism Award for Best Resource Management
2019
-
Recertification of ISO 14001
2017
-
TMACC’s Carbon Neutral status is announced
2016 Cheapflights Travel Awards: Best South African Attraction
Recertification of ISO 14001
2016
-
Attained Level 3 B-BBEE rating
African Responsible Tourism Award - Best Single Resource Management: Water Management (finalist)
Heritage Environmental Rating: Diamond
2015 Lilizela Tourism Awards: Provincial Visitor Experience of the Year
2015
-
Table Mountain is named Africa’s leading tourist attraction in the World Travel Awards
TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the quality of reviews received over the past year
2014
-
Retained level 4 B-BBEE rating
SANParks Cape Regional Achievement Award: Business Partner of the Year
Imvelo Award for Responsible Tourism – best Single Resource Management: Waste Management (finalist)
2013
-
Attained Level 4 B-BBEE rating
SKAL International Award for Responsible Tourism: finalist
2012
-
Attained level 5 B-BBEE rating
Table Mountain is named one of the New7Wonders of Nature
Overall winner of 2011 Imvelo Award for Responsible Tourism
Health and safety management system is OHSAS 18001 certified
2011
-
SANParks Cape Regional Achievement Award: Business Partner of the Year
Heritage Environmental Rating: Platinum
2010
-
Mail & Guardian Greening the Future Award: finalist
South African Tourism’s Attraction of the Year Award: finalist
Re-certified as ISO 14001-compliant
2009
-
Imvelo Award for Responsible Tourism – Best Single Resource Management: Water Management (winner)
Heritage Environmental Rating: silver
Ishkus Power Achievement Award – Business Partner of the Year (in recognition of energy savings
SANParks Cape Regional Achievement Award: Business Partner of the Year
2008
-
Imvelo Award for Responsible Tourism – Best Overall Environmental Programme (finalist)
2005
-
Table Mountain becomes a World Heritage Site
2004
-
Our Environmental Management System is awarded ISO 14001 certification
2003
-
The Green Globe Achievement Award: a commendation for Environmental Management and Awareness in our first year of membership
2000
-
EPPIC (Environmental Planning Professions Interdisciplinary Committee) National Premium Award for Integrated Environmental Management: in recognition of the environmentally sensitive way in which the Cableway was built and is operated
1999
-
Fulton Commendation: for excellence
in use of concrete
(during the 1997 upgrade)1998