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Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) traded the summit for the fairways on Friday, 16 October, as it hosted its third annual Charity Golf Day at Steenberg Golf Estate in Tokai.
Partners, suppliers and friends of the mountain gathered for a day on the course with a shared purpose: supporting the people who keep Table Mountain safe for everyone who explores it.
With 32 fourballs teeing off and 14 waterholes sponsored, the day raised R600 000 for two volunteer-driven organisations, Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS) and Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR).
Both organisations rely on volunteers who give up their evenings, weekends and holidays to answer the call when there is an emergency on the mountain. WSAR teams head out in all conditions to reach lost or injured hikers, often across steep and difficult terrain, while VWS crews work on the fire line to protect the mountain’s fynbos, wildlife and the communities living on its slopes.
“Our firefighters are volunteers who train throughout the year so they’re ready the moment a fire breaks out. As we head into the peak fire season, support from TMACC and its partners helps make sure our crews have the gear and training they need to protect the mountain and the communities alongside it,” says VWS spokesperson Thane Masureik.
This year’s contribution builds on TMACC’s ongoing commitment to mountain safety. As the gateway to Table Mountain for visitors from across the globe, the Cableway sees first-hand how much depends on these teams and continues to back them well beyond a single day on the golf course.
“Every year, more people discover Table Mountain, whether they ride the cable car to the top or take on one of the many hiking routes. Behind that experience are VWS and WSAR volunteers who quietly give their time and skills so that others can enjoy the mountain safely. For us, supporting them is not a once-off gesture; it is part of who we are as a company that lives and works on this mountain,” says Tracy Mkhize, Managing Director of TMACC.
“Our partners showed up in a big way, and every rand raised will help these teams with the equipment, training and resources they need to keep doing what they do so well.”
Heading up the mountain this summer? Make safety part of the plan
“Table Mountain looks deceptively easy from the city below, but conditions on its slopes can change within minutes. Before setting off, choose a route that matches your experience, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back, and never hike alone. A little planning goes a long way towards making sure your day on the mountain ends with the view, not a rescue,” says WSAR spokesman David Nel.
Your Mountain Safety Checklist
· Plan the route: Choose a trail suited to your fitness level, know roughly how long it will take, and let someone at home know where you are going and when you expect to be back.
· Hike in a group: Never hike alone and stay together on the trail.
· Save the emergency number: Keep the mountain rescue number, 021 937 0300, on your phone before you set off.
· Check the forecast: Weather on Table Mountain can turn quickly. Wind may also lead to the Cableway pausing operations, so hikers planning to ride down should always have a walking route back as a backup.
· Pack the essentials: Carry enough water, sun protection, a warm layer, snacks and a fully charged phone, and start early to avoid the midday heat.
· Be fire-wise: Fires and open flames are not permitted on the mountain. Report any smoke or flames immediately to 086 110 6417.
With the summer season about to begin, TMACC extends its thanks to every golfer, sponsor and partner who joined the day, and to the VWS and WSAR volunteers who will be on standby on the mountain throughout the busy months ahead.