With the message to conserve natural sites, a unique, annual event returns to Table Mountain in Cape Town in South Africa from November 15-17.

Table Mountain is one of the key tourist landmarks in South Africa and indeed the defining landscape of Cape Town and an annual event taking place at Table Mountain this month will remind hikers and nature lovers of the importance of protecting and conserving the site that has been classified as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature.

According to a press statement by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), which operates the sole cableway to the top of the Table Mountain, it will once again host the “Take a Hike Day” from November 15-17. On this day, tourists and activists get together to clean up the mountain and restore it to pristine health.

The statement adds that ‘Take A Hike Day’ is an international event that invites the public to walk or hike up the mountain while picking up litter and refuse along the way. The event aims to engender a love for the outdoors and an understanding of keeping the terrain free from litter.

‘This will be our fourth time hosting this important event and we hope that Capetonians will again show the overwhelming support we’ve seen in previous years,’’ says Selma Hercules, Executive Director (Finance) at TMACC.

‘‘Our organisation is co-custodians of the mountain, and we understand all too well the importance of caring for and maintaining the site. We must preserve it for future generations, and this is why we are excited to again host visitors for this good cause,’’ adds Hercules.

The statement adds that the mountain clean-up is set to take place from 07:30 to 15:00 on all the three days and will begin at the Platteklip Gorge hiking trail towards the top of Table Mountain, where trash can discarded in bins at the Twelve Apostles Terrace, below the Shop at the Top.

The company says that everyone who takes part will receive water, and a bin bag at the start of Platteklip Gorge while they will be issued a snack pack and a free ticket down when they hand in the trash. Participants can choose any of the other trails too and they have until 17:00 to hand in their trash.

‘We call on everyone who loves Table Mountain to join us. Think of it as turning your trash into a free cable car ride,’’ says Hercules.