SANParks To Host The Oscars Of Conservation
South African National Parks (SANParks) will be bestowing awards on several individuals and organisations at the Annual Kudu Awards ceremony to held a...
Media Release: Table Mountain National Park inaugurated as New 7 Wonder of Nature
Table Mountain was named an Official New 7 Wonders 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.
Arguably one of the most well-known mountains in Africa, Table Mountain provides a magnificent backdrop to cosmopolitan Cape Town. Famous for the tablecloth of clouds that pours endlessly down its slopes when the south-easter blows, this is a mountain of many moods.
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.”
This natural world heritage site, and Natural New 7 Wonder of the World, 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.
The Official New 7 Wonders of Nature contest aimed to raise awareness of the incredible variety and beauty of nature around us.
TMNP also won the Best Park award at the prestigious South African National Parks (SANParks) Kudu Awards held at Gallagher Estates on Friday, 30 November 2012. The Awards reward SANParks staff members and parks for their exceptional work performance and efforts on customer service with various categories under the Chief Executive Awards.
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. Dr Mabunda concluded, “”Long after we are gone, Table Mountain National Park will remain a national park and now it will forever more remain a New 7 Wonder of Nature.”
Issued By
South African National Parks
Enquiries:
wanda mkutshulwa
Head of Communications, SANParks
Tel: 012 4265201, Cell; 082 908 2692,
Email: [email protected]