News

Cape Town, 12 June 2007 – Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) today confirmed that they have, to date, upgraded 250km of the existing footpath network (paths and tracks) within the national park.

TMNP wishes to correct an earlier statement made in the April 2005 issue of the Park News, a newsletter of TMNP, that after the upgrade of 245km of the footpath network, the rest of the network would be closed. TMNP regrets the inconvenience this incorrect information may have caused to hikers/walkers.

In fact only 18km of the total 820km of the footpath network have been closed. Three main reasons that have been cited for their closure are: extreme erosion; highly sensitive ecosystems and duplicate paths.

TMNP also confirmed that the second phase of the footpath upgrade programme commenced in April 2007. This new phase of maintenance of previously repaired paths and the construction of new paths is funded by the DEAT Social Responsibility Program to the value of R2.4m for a further 12 months.

The first phase of the footpath upgrade programme commenced in 2004 with previously unemployed people drawn from the areas of Red Hill, Oceanview, Masiphumelele, Imizamo Yethu, Westlake and Luyolo in Gugulethu. Integral to the employment programme is the provision of training in footpath construction, life skills and business development.

Footpaths are upgraded to enable hikers to enjoy a safe environment while protecting the very same environment from the effects of this activity.

For further information and/or photo opportunity, please contact:

Phumeza Mgxashe
Table Mountain National Park
Cell: 083 589 8588