Cableway forWTA again
Table Mountain and the Cableway are once again in the spotlight as they compete for top honours at the 2025 World Travel Awards (WTA).
These world-famous attractions are nominees in their categories, but bringing the prestigious titles home depends on public votes
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has been nominated in the World’s Leading Cable Car Ride category, while Table Mountain has been nominated as World’s Leading Tourist Attraction
These are the only South African nominees in the world categories this year
TMACC boasts an impressive track record at the World Travel Awards, having secured the title of Africa’s Leading Tourist Attraction five times, in 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022
Now celebrating its 96th year of operation, the cableway remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s tourism industry, having safely carried over 32 million visitors to the top of one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature since opening on 4 October 1929
The attraction continues to play a pivotal role in positioning Cape Town and South Africa as leading global destinations, contributing significantly to the visitor economy while promoting sustainable tourism and local employment
Wahida Parker, Managing Director of TMACC, says being recognised again at the World Travel Awards is an “incredible honour”
“This competition is our industry’s version of the Oscars and is widely respected as a contest that recognises commitment to excellence ”
She says the nominations reaffirm their
commitment to being a responsible operator that prioritises safety, honours the mountain’s unique flora and fauna, and delivers world-class service to both local and international visitors
Parker encourages South Africans to get behind the Cableway and Table Mountain by casting their WTA votes in the two categories
“Every visitor, every team member and every partner has played a role in this success We’re calling on South Africans to help us bring these awards home ” TMACC has consistently earned nominations for World’s Leading Tourist Attraction and World’s Leading Cable Car Ride, reflecting its commitment to creating positive experiences and driving innovation on the international stage
Parker says the company is proud to fly the South African flag and hopes to make the country proud once again
“These nominations reflect our journey, from the very first trip in October 1929 to the millions who continue to make memories atop
Table Mountain We have never won in the world categories before, and it would be incredibly special if we could make it happen this time around ”
Members of the tourism and hospitality sector can also cast their votes, and they are given double the weighting to votes cast by members of the public
Voting for the 2025 World Travel Awards closes on Sunday 26 October
Supporters can cast their votes at www worldtravelawards com/vote
SANParkshitsR4billionrevenuemarkforthefirsttime
South African National Parks (SANParks) reported strong financial and operational results for the 2024-'25 financial year, marking the first time revenue exceeded R4 billion
Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Fisheries, Forestry and the Environment,
SANParks Chief Executive Officer Hapiloe Sello said revenue increased by 11%, from R3,67 billion to R4,1 billion
She highlighted that 75% of revenue came from commercial activities, including tourism and park-related services, reflecting the effectiveness of the organisation’s commercial strategies
SANParks maintains a net cash balance of R2,7 billion and a positive solvency position, with total assets exceeding total liabilities by R3,7 billion, underscoring its strong financial health The organisation also received an unqualified audit outcome for the past year, confirming the robustness of its financial governance and management practices
“The positive results reflect our ongoing efforts to strengthen internal controls and improve governance, ” Sello said The auditor-general’s report highlighted improvements in the quality of the annual financial statements and in supply chain management, with no material findings identified, an improvement from the previous year She noted that continued work to strengthen internal controls is expected to deliver further improvements in the coming
period
On the operational front, SANParks achieved 86% of its performance targets, meeting 24 out of 28 goals Notably, 18 of these targets were exceeded, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to efficiency and operational excellence These results reflect SANParks’ focus on conservation, sustainable development and community empowerment
Sello said the landmark revenue milestone and robust financial position enable SANParks to continue delivering high-quality conservation initiatives and improve the visitor experience across its parks nationwide She said the results also show the organisation’s dedication to sup-
porting local communities through tourism-related employment and development projects
“These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication of our team and stakeholders’ efforts to manage our national parks sustainably for future generations while promoting inclusive growth and transformation,” Sello said SANParks’ achievements position it as a cornerstone of South Africa’s environmental and socio-economic landscape By combining financial stability, operational efficiency and community engagement, SANParks continues to strengthen its role in preserving biodiversity, fostering sustainable tourism, and the country’s development objectives
Even blocking spammers does not help
an urgent call
It feels like there’s no escape Blocking one number doesn’t help I’ve tried that They just use another
What’s more frustrating is that spam callers are breaking the rules by using mobile numbers for call centres that operate from fixed locations, making it increasingly difficult to spot and avoid these calls
The result? More unsuspecting people are picking up, only to be met with unwanted sales pitches or robocalls
This goes against the Numbering Plan Regulations of 2016 and is also seen as unfair competition
As I typed this, I declined three consecutive calls Two popped up as spam the other didn’t But I knew it was
This is incredibly frustrating when you ’ re on deadline, in an important meeting or expecting
have access to Most days, I stay on the line long enough to politely let the agent know I’m not interested in whatever they’re pitching At times, you can even hear the desperation in their voices and I genuinely sympathise with them
Downloading “ spam alert” Apps seems pointless when enforcement is weak or non-existent
The lines between legal telemarketing and outright harassment are becoming dangerously blurred
What’s needed is stronger regulation and actual consequences for the companies violating the rules not just the agents who are often just trying to get by
There should be more transparency, proper identification, and respect for our time We shouldn’t have to live in fear of our own phones ringing
For now, we ’ re left managing issues as they pop up, one after another, with our peace and productivity paying the price
Table Mountain and the Cableway are once again in the spotlight as they compete for top honours at the 2025 World Travel Awards PHOTO: KAYLYNNE BANTOM
A JOURNO’S VOICE
KAYLYNNE BANTOM
South African National Parks reported strong financial and operational results for the 2024-’25 financial year, marking the first time revenue exceeded R4 billion PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Cavend death i
NAMHLAMONAKALI
NAMHLA MONAKALI@NOVUSMEDIA CO ZA
Claremont police have opened an inquest following the death of a 46-year-old woman at Cavendish Square Shopping Centre on Monday evening 13 October
Officers arrived at the centre at around 20:10 after receiving reports of a disturbance They found the woman on site, where she was pronounced dead by medical personnel Initial reports indicate she may have jumped from one of the upper levels, though an autopsy is planned to confirm the exact cause of death Cavendish Square Centre Manager Faizah Behardien expressed deep sorrow over the incident In a statement, she offered condolences to the family and urged the public to respect their privacy and dignity during this difficult time She emphasised caution when discussing it on social media Police are appealing to anyone with information about the circumstances surrounding the incident to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111
The incident has left a mark on the shopping destination, prompting staff and visitors to reflect on the need for awareness and sensitivity in the wake of such tragedies Security measures and support systems are being reviewed
Final matric exams underway
KAYLYNNEBANTOM
Nerves and excitement fill the air as thousands of learners across the country sit down to write the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams starting today (21 October).
In the Western Cape, 77 442 candidates are registered to write the exam; these include 67 606 full-time matric learners and 9 836 part-time or repeat candidates
The tests start with 12 736 candidates writing the Computer Applications Technology (CAT) practical According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), the subject with the largest number of candidates is mathematical literacy, with 53 206 candidates writing paper one on Friday 31 October, and paper two on Monday 3 November
David Maynier, provincial education minister, said the implementation of the exam is a mammoth administrative exercise with candidates writing at over 400 exam centres across the province
“Candidates will write at 473 exam centres, with 2 046 trained invigilators appointed to keep a close eye on proceedings Marking will take place at the beginning of December, with 954 000 examination scripts being marked by 4 190 markers ” People’s Post caught up Rayyan Ebrahim, the top matric learner in the country last year to share some helpful tips with the matriculants
“My advice to the Matric class of 2025 is to work smartly during the exam period You would have already
studied most of the content already, so use this time to brush up on those topics that you found the most difficult in the trial exams The exam period is also quite long, so make sure to look after yourself physically and mentally by eating well, sleeping well and exercising Try not to isolate yourself during this time - you may not be attending classes at school anymore but you will still need the support from your peers Forming study groups with them is a really effective way to study ”
He advised them to practice selfcare
“Be kind to yourself throughout the exams You may be feeling a lot of pressure to do well, but seek contentment in doing your best, rather than in getting good marks
Ebrahim said that during the final stretch of exams, fine-tuning his knowledge proved to be the most effective way to study
“For the final stretch of exams, I found that fine-tuning my knowledge was the most effective way to study The main method I used to study was to teach myself and my friends the content I was learning Putting the content in your own words really helps you retain the information better and builds a deeper understanding of the material
“I also made sure to go into each exam with a clear strategy of which questions I would start answering
first, based on the topics I was the most comfortable with I planned the amount of time I would spend on each question and timed myself when doing past papers This allowed me to walk into the exam room with confidence ”
Nicholas Schreiber was one of the top quintile-five learners in the province last year
The former Rondebosch Boys’ High School learner encouraged learners to stay focused
“You’ve put in all the hard work and now you ’ re so close to the finish line, but it’s important to not take your foot off the pedal now and really make sure to give these exams your all ”
He urged them to prioritise subjects in which they want to boost their results
“You should know roughly where your strengths and weaknesses are after prelims, so really focus on the areas of subjects where you can have a good improvement to get the most out of your finals marks ” Schreiber said learners should remember that marks alone don’t define them or the year they’ve had and encourages them not to put too much pressure on themselves
“Try to make consistent time for every subject and try to revise cleverly, being time and energy efficient Take regular breaks and make sure to get enough sleep every night, have a good
general diet and get plenty of fresh air and sunlight in between study sessions ”
He also shared some helpful study tips
“I was always a fan of flashcards for memorising definitions or key topics, as well as doing as many past papers as possible to see how topics get asked in papers, and to see where the gaps in my knowledge lie
“There are plenty of resources online for matrics to use (study guides, past papers, YouTube explanations etc), so make the most of all the resources you have available ” Schreiber is currently a first-year student studying a BCom in Chartered Accountancy at the University of Cape Town Maynier wished learners well for their exams and expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped prepare
the learners
“We appreciate the incredible work that our examination officials do each year to ensure that the exam runs smoothly Our matrics and their teachers have also put in a tremendous amount of work to prepare for this exam ”
Maynier urged the public to ensure the exams proceed without disruptions
“We appeal to everyone in our province to put the best interests of our candidates first during the exam period We look forward to celebrating with them when the results are released ”
The national education minister will announce the national and provincial pass rates on Monday 12 January 2026, and candidates will receive their individual results the following day
David Maynier, provincial education minister, wished learners well for their exams.
PHOTO KAYLYNNE BANTOM
Final chapter for matric class
As the Class of 2025 reaches the final chapter of their school journey, emotions run high a mix of pride, excitement, and reflection.
After years of hard work, growth, and countless memories, these learners now stand at the threshold of a new beginning They’ve faced challenges, embraced opportunities, and
Ashton Jantjies said: “I’m hella excited to be done with school, tbh! (to be honest) I’m optimistic about the future because I’ve
formed friendships that will last a lifetime This milestone marks not just the end of a school career, but the beginning of endless possibilities
As they prepare to step into the next phase of their lives, the Class of 2025 carries with them the lessons, values, and resilience shaped by their school years People's Post caught up with a few learners to hear how they’re feeling about the upcoming exams and what lies ahead
Mary-Ann Kleindsmidt said: “I’m feeling very happy and sad at the same time. I met wonderful people at high school, like my teachers and fellow learners, who inspired me. And now, when I walk away, I feel very empty because they meant a lot to me. Just not every day would go smoothly I will miss the motivational pieces that they gave me. The national exam that is now staring me in the face makes me a little bit nervous Because everyone says it’s hard, but if you’ve worked hard all year then it’s not really hard. Because I work through old papers, I get extra resources, I watch YouTube, and this makes me a little happy because I’m no longer nervous like people make me feel nervous.”
Keysha Ockers said reaching the end of school can lead to mixed feelings, but it’s a significant milestone that opens up a world of possibilities, and many are optimistic about the future. “This optimism often comes from a sense of accomplishment and the anticipation of new experiences, whether that includes pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or exploring different paths
THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THE EXAMS,AS THEY DETERMINE OUR FUTURE
Bowls leader sets the tone
HERMANJANSEN
Newly elected Western Province Bowls (WPB) president, Tony Harland, recently “rolled out” his executive’s battle plan to combat challenges facing the sport
Harland’s speech started the traditional celebratory official opening – the first since the 2020 epidemic - of the WPB 2025-26 season in the Durbanville clubhouse on Sunday, 12 October
Key among these issues are dwindling membership numbers and financial pressures
Harland is a former president of Durbanville Bowling Club (DBC), the biggest club in the Western Province and arguably the most successful, financially and with achievements, on the greens
He took over from Bellville’s Gerrit van Milligen (stet) who had a four-year stint
Harland’s two-year appointment in August is a historic one: As far as can be established, he is the first member of DBC (established in 1948) to be elected as Western Province president
The opening day is traditionally hosted by the home club of the incoming WPB president Harland said: “I am excited about today It brings back part of an old tradition of the official season opening which fell away during covid ”
Delegates from 22 of the 32 WPB clubs (three not active) attended the ceremony
“We have received apologies from many clubs, who had other commitments It is impossible to accommodate everybody ” Addressing financial challenges, Harland said the WPB executive have started with an overall review and redrawing of the budget
“I attended the Bowling South Africa (BSA) AGM the week after our AGM The overall
financial position was the main area of discussion Concern was raised over the depletion of reserves and immediate cost-cutting action has been taken ”
He said WPB was in the same predicament with dwindling reserves the last three years
“This trend cannot continue, hence the review of finances This exercise will be completed by the end of November ”
Harland then addressed the sometimes tetchy issue of interrelations within WPB
“The harder part of the goals set is that of relationships As an executive we need to ensure that everybody was on board to bring success both on and off the bowling green
“Many gaps were identified across the full spectrum of the bowling chain from executive level to standing committees to clubs and bowlers ”
Harland said membership numbers had been flat the last three years
“The issue with most clubs is not attracting new members but rather retaining members
“Are we getting close enough to our new members to make them feel part of the club?
Walking into a strange environment can be very intimidating
“The perception of an ‘ us and them’ must also be done away with ”
Delegates from 22 of the 32 WPB clubs (three not active) attended the ceremony
Western Province Bowls (WPB) president, Tony Harland. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Morne Abrahams of Hanover Park FC is brought down illegally by Hamza Oumimoune of Vasco da Gama FC during