We have family down in ‘Slaapstad’ that assure us that Table Mountain does exist. We remain unconvinced however as whenever we visit it is either raining heavily or there are storm clouds in the direction of this so-called Table Mountain.
Every now and then the rain will lift and the clouds clear and we will get a glance at what looks like an illusion to us. I recall walking up a steep hill once and, when we got to the top, it didn’t look like a Table at all – just some rocks, a couple of well dressed hippies, overpriced drinks and food and a strange sweet smell that permeated the air. I remarked that the fynbos smelt great, my companions snickered at me behind their raised hands.
Be that as it may Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) has called on all the city’s residents to vote for Table Mountain’s inclusion as one of the world’s Official New7Wonders of Nature.
“Not only do we want to support Cape Town’s tourism authorities but if Table Mountain becomes one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the valuable exposure and increased awareness about South Africa and the resultant increase in tourists will benefit Nelson Mandela Bay and the rest of the country as well.
“Being home to one of the seven wonders of the world will leave a remarkable legacy for our generation as well as future generations,” said NMBT Marketing Manager Titus Chuene.
Table Mountain is on a shortlist of 28 natural sites from around the world, but will only be chosen as one of the seven if it receives enough votes.
“Although Table Mountain beat famous mountains such as Mount Everest, K2 and Mount Olympus onto the shortlist, it is currently ranked between 14 and 28 and can only move higher if it receives more votes,” said Chuene.
More than 1 billion votes are expected from around the globe. (Aaaah surely 1 billion people can’t be wrong and there IS a Table on the Mountain!)
The New7Wonders Foundation, a Zurich-based non-profit organisation, announced the 28 finalists in Zurich, Switzerland, on 21 July 2009. The final two-year found of voting to choose the New7Wonders of Nature started in 2010 and ends in November 2011.
“If Table Mountain makes it onto the list, amidst competitors such as the Amazon River, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef – it will be a victory all South Africans will share in. I therefore urge everyone to cast their votes,” said Chuene.
How to vote:
- SMS – SMS “Table” or “Tafel” or “Itafile (Xhosa) or “Itafula (Zulu) to 34874. You can send as many SMS’s as you like at a cost of R2 each.
- Online at: www.new7wonders.com or www.votefortablemountain.com
- By Phone: Dial 0044 20 334 709 01 and insert the code 7725 (for Table Mountain)
Alan Straton
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