Table Mountain Inaugurated As New Seven Wonder of Nature

The Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) was officially inaugurated as a New 7 Wonder of Nature in Pretoria on 3 December. Dr. David Mabunda, SANParks CEO said this initiative has touched the lives of South Africans and is a symbol of hope, unity and transformation, bringing South Africans together for a common goal.

Table Mountain was named an official New 7 Wonder of Nature in May, 2012 and rightfully won the opportunity to take its place in the history books of the world for the true wonder that it is. "We are elated to be part of this gallery of icons and are looking forward to capitalising on the status," said Dr. Mabunda.

SANParks took over the management of TMNP in 1998. "Since we took over we have improved its biodiversity so much so that it gained the world renowned natural heritage status as part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom World Heritage Site and is now a New 7 Wonder of the World."

Diverse Floral Kingdom

This natural world heritage site is a haven of magnificent mountains plunging into crystal seas fringed with bleached white sands of the Cape Peninsula. The mountain chain stretches from Signal Hill in the north, to Cape Point in the south and is also home to the world's smallest, yet most diverse floral kingdom, the Cape Floristic Region.

TMNP also won the Best Park award at the prestigious South African National Parks (SANParks) Kudu Awards held at Gallagher Estate on 30 November 2012. The awards reward SANParks staff members and parks for their exceptional work performance and efforts on customer service.

The African icon is 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 Island, will host its inauguration ceremony in 2013.