Table Mountain officially inaugurated as New 7 Wonder of Nature

It was a proud moment for all South Africans when the official inauguration of Table Mountain as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature took place at a ceremony held at the foot of the mountain on Sunday, December 2, 2012.

Patricia de Lille, the Executive Mayor of Cape Town, unveiled the New 7 Wonders of Nature plaque in front of 41 international delegates and said the title would bring tremendous direct economic and socio-economic benefits to South Africa and the Mother City.

“Table Mountain’s inauguration as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature is a worthy recognition of this symbol that we all own and cherish,” said De Lille, “While it defines our city, it is much greater than it. It is a natural heritage that belongs to all South Africans and, we believe, the world. I would like to thank everyone who voted for Table Mountain to win this precious accolade.”

Bernard Weber, Founder-President of the New 7 Wonders Foundation, said the inauguration marked the culmination of an inspiring campaign of which all South Africans could be proud.

“Table Mountain is not only a spectacular backdrop for Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it also offer visitors the unique experience to actually walk on top of the mountain and enjoy the most awesome panoramic views,” said Weber.

Global wide voting in the New 7 Wonders of Nature closed on November 11, 2011 when the provisional New 7 Wonders sites were announced. The inauguration follows an international audit which confirmed the voting results.

Sabine Lehmann, Cableway MD and Chairperson of the Table Mountain Official Supporters Committee, said the economic impact of the accolade was already being felt by the Cableway.

“We have had a record November, the best in ten years,” she said.

The African icon was the sixth site to host its inauguration ceremony following the Puerto Princesa Underground River, the Amazon, Jeju Island, Halong Bay, and Iguazu Falls. The seventh site, Komodo, will host its inauguration ceremony in 2013.

For more information about Table Mountain’s official inauguration as a New 7 Wonder of Nature, visit www.tablemountain.net or follow @tablemountainca on twitter.

PHOTO (L to R): Sabine Lehmann (MD of Table Mountain Cableway and Chairperson of the Official Supporter’s Committee), Patricia De Lille (Executive Mayor of Cape Town), Bernard Weber (Founder of New 7 Wonders Foundation), and Jean-Paul de la Fuente (Director of New 7 Wonders Foundation) unveil the New 7 Wonders plaque for Table Mountain at the official inauguration ceremony