Take Back Our Mountains withdraws from Table Mountain following heavy fines

Take Back Our Mountains (TBOM) has announced it will cease its activities on Table Mountain following a fine imposed by South African National Parks (SANParks) on Sunday.

This decision comes despite TBOM’s claim that SANParks had previously been aware of and approved their hikes and cultural experiences:

‘We had a picnic and display area set up at Deer Park, where I invited members of the Khoi and San communities to share stories and participate in tea tasting, celebrating and learning about our indigenous heritage.’

TBOM, which has been actively engaged in environmental preservation and community upliftment since January 2018, expressed deep concern over what they perceive as a punitive response from park management, particularly under the new Park Manager.

‘This feels like a personal attack. Since the Park Manager took over the management of Table Mountain, we have faced difficulties, including funding opportunities being refused,’ said a TBOM representative.

The group contends that they have been instrumental in numerous initiatives aimed at keeping Table Mountain clean and safe. These initiatives include clean-up drives, educational hikes for youth from townships, and safety patrols in high-crime areas all of which require permits they claim have been routinely granted.

TBOM’s recent peaceful hike resulted in a fine, while they have observed a multitude of other activities deemed problematic in the mountain’s vicinity. ‘We noticed vagrants, church groups camping overnight, people washing in the stream, and even a reported incident of chicken slaughtering in the stream. Yet, the Rangers were unwilling to confront these pressing issues,’ they stated.

‘We are often told that we are stakeholders. We report incidents, assist where we can, and contribute towards keeping this Mountain clean and safe. Yet, when we take the initiative to organise educational activities and create opportunities for indigenous communities to share their knowledge, we are issued a fine instead of being assisted with the necessary permit.’

They highlighted an incident where Rangers only responded after complaints from residents and subsequently imposed a fine on TBOM instead.

‘We were stationed next to the parking area, and yet management chose to fine us rather than addressing the actual problems affecting the mountain,’ TBOM said.

The organisation feels sidelined and accuses SANParks of treating stakeholders as mere checkbox items for compliance, rather than valuing their contributions to the community.

‘It is sad that we now have to withdraw our activities from Table Mountain, and many communities will lose out as a result. This fine raises serious questions about how SANParks treats stakeholders who are genuinely trying to make a difference,’ they lamented.

The group emphasised that while they are passionate about their work, the lack of support from management, coupled with increased crime around the mountain, is disheartening.

Cape Town Etc has reached out to SANParks for comment, but they are yet to respond.