Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company urges winter travellers to practice safety when hiking or travelling during the cold season.
“Weather conditions can change very quickly, especially if you are a 1 000 metres above the city bowl on top of this New Seven Wonders of Nature site," said Wahida Parker, managing director at the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC).
"The best bit of advice I can give to anyone planning to visit is to dress warmly, and never to assume that the weather will stay as hot or as cold as when you arrived," she said.
Parker said travellers should wear comfortable shoes for balance, as it can get slippery on top when it rains.
"Take notice of the shorter days, which means it also gets darker a bit earlier. Plan your walks or hikes carefully. Make sure that by the time it gets dark you are in a safe place," she said.
Parker said visitors should note the shorter seasonal operational times of the cablecar.
She also recommends telling someone if you plan on hiking.
"If you get stuck or lost, people will know where to look for you first. Stay hydrated and take snacks, water and a warm jacket with you,“ she said.
TMACC’s Emile Streicher said the cablecar operations will not be closing for a mid-year period for maintenance this year.
“Historically, due to large visitor numbers during good weather periods, many of the annual minor maintenance tasks were bundled into a single shutdown in mid-winter. These minor tasks involve extensive testing of safety systems and verification of the condition of critical components.
“South Africa’s location in relation to Europe (where the major cableway manufacturers and support is located) has always inspired TMACC to be self-sufficient to a large extent. This means that TMACC has an internal technical team which consists of highly qualified, trained and experienced individuals who continuously plan and perform maintenance tasks to the required standards," he said.