We are thrilled to announce that on Thursday, 10 April 2025, we won Silver in the category Managing Waste: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle at the 2025 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards

Over the past decade our waste management strategy has been a big focus, and we are proud of the impact we have made. Over the years, we have managed to divert nearly 750 tonnes of waste from landfills, which is more than 62% of all the waste generated at the Cableway.

“Operating at altitude means waste can’t simply be wheeled to the kerb,” says Selma Hercules, Executive Director at TMACC. “We have a dedicated night crew that collects and sorts of rubbish after hours, with every item processed responsibly. We’ve even upcycled old staff uniforms into dog blankets for shelters and turned decommissioned cables into souvenirs like medals and magnets.”

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of our team and the installation of over 50 recycling bins across our sites. We also track waste daily and ensure that everyone from our staff to school children in our Class in the Clouds programme is educated on the importance of sustainability.

But we don’t just focus on waste. We also work hard to support local businesses and promote economic inclusion. Right now, 97% of our retail products and 99% of our food and beverages come from South African suppliers.

We are also proud that more than half of our retail vendors are women-owned businesses. Beyond procurement, we help these businesses grow through mentorship, flexible payment terms, and upcycling collaborations. One example of this is Carlies Darlings who uses offcuts from Skona Clothing as soft toy stuffing!

Through our Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, we’ve supported over 30 small businesses, including talented up-cycler Lilly Loompa and the amazing artisan collective Ukusika Yezandla.

This award reflects our ongoing commitment to responsible tourism. We’re excited to keep making a positive impact on both our local communities and the environment.