From the Table Mountain (one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature), the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company fondly remembered its former president and director.
The managers stated in a statement that to celebrate the life of Louis de Waal, who died this March 2024, they closed at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 with the aim of giving the staff the opportunity to offer their final goodbye to a legend who had given much of his life to Table Mountain and the cable car.
Louis de Waal had a long and illustrious career at Cableway, including 40 years as a director and 20 as president. His time at the Cable Car saw several memorable events and developments, including two upgrades (one in 1974 and a major one in 1997), as well as the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign in which Table Mountain was elected, and by which De Waal felt very proud, knowing that this tourist attraction is a pillar of the region’s economy.
De Waal retired as chairman of the board in 2013. But he leaves a legacy of community involvement and giving back to the people of Cape Town, not just with the achievements made for Table Mountain. He but also because in 2002, he founded the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) with the mission of providing opportunities through the use of a bicycle, giving hope and a step forward to those who need it most.
He was a keen cyclist and one of only seven people (the Magnificent 7) who had participated in every cycle tour around Cape Town. It was his idea (along with Bill Mylrea and John Stegmann) to organize a cycling event on the Peninsula to pressure the city council to think about bicycles as part of their urban planning and take care of cyclists on the busy roads (by 1978 standards ).
Today, this event is what is known as the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour, the largest timed cycle race in the world.
His son, Anton de Waal, shared: “Beyond his beloved Cycle Tour, he was incredibly proud of his association with Table Mountain and the Cable Car, and what it meant to the city of Cape Town. . Even after retiring, he used to visit the Cableway frequently, especially helping with the annual Cableway Charity Challenge, kicking off and cheering on the athletes.”
Table Mountain
Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, is a flat-topped mountain located in a well-known prominent location overlooking Cape Town in South Africa.
It is one of the most representative symbols of the city, appearing on its flag and other local government insignia.