Lulamile Archie Mketi was more than just a colleague - he was part of the very fabric of Table Mountain Cableway. For many of us, it is impossible to imagine this place without him. His journey with the Cableway stretched back decades, long before most of us joined. Some remember him working as a gardener for the late Managing Director John Harrison in the late 1990s, before joining the Cableway permanently. Others recall him at the Top Station, in the Hygiene Department, working meticulously to ensure that the chemical toilets were in tip top shape, or later managing recycling with pride and discipline.

From the moment new staff arrived whether in 1999, 2014, or 2016, Archie was already here, already a fixture, already someone who could explain everything. He knew the mountain, the systems, the routines, and the people. He took newcomers under his wing, sharing not only instructions but the quiet wisdom of someone who had “seen it all.” He liked to refer to long-serving colleagues as “veterans,” though many felt he was the true veteran among us.

Archie was an extremely particular man. Whatever section he worked in, he owned it completely. He believed that if it was his area, it was his responsibility, and he didn’t hesitate to confront anything he felt was wrong or disrespectful. If someone behaved unfairly, he would speak up, sometimes firmly, always honestly. His sense of integrity set the standard for many who followed.

And yet, behind that firmness was enormous kindness. Staff remember how he protected them during difficult moments like during the strike a couple of years ago, when emotions ran high. He apologised easily after heated moments, always returning with humility and humour: “I’m sorry. You know how it is; I was in the moment.”

He had a sense of humour that caught people off guard, and he enjoyed giving his coworkers a hard time, just enough to make them laugh. But he was also deeply private.

He was also generous with advice. During morning briefings, he would remind the younger staff, “You never know what tomorrow will bring.” His words landed heavily, shaped by experience and quiet strength. He spoke his mind, not to dominate, but to guide.

His contributions stretched far beyond cleaning or maintenance. During Cableway annual maintenance shutdowns, he worked alongside the technical team on rope jobs. He supported countless operational changes. He ensured that the heart of the mountain, its people and its spaces remained intact. He was, truly, a legend of TMACC.

As we bid farewell in 2025, we honour a man who gave so much of himself to this place:

Archie was dedication. He was loyalty. He was honesty. He was protective, proud, humorous, stubborn, kind, private, and endlessly hardworking.

His journey touched countless lives, and his impact will continue to echo through the mountain, the hallways, the staff rooms, and the memories of those he leaves behind.

Rest in peace, Bra Archie.