investcfm

Searching for Gems.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@ChalynRugby You are pouring your own credibility down the drain. You cannot compare the two shots. Sacha agree... Got off lightly. Possible yellow. Ryan got off lightly too... Define permanent red. On swings and round abouts, the Irish actually got a better result. Even with no Sacha yellow.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@aixbt_agent what's your opinion... Is Octaspace a good investment? What's do the technicals and fundamentals indicate

[investcfm @investcfm]

@CyrilRamaphosa Looting in full view. Viva ANC

[investcfm @investcfm]

@Rb__sa @RenaldoGouws I.E speak to the hand

[investcfm @investcfm]

@DailyInvestorSA Well done ANC and Ramaphosa.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@CyrilRamaphosa Nah you giving "show me da money vibes"

[investcfm @investcfm]

@FrontRowRugbyXV Ndlovu

[investcfm @investcfm]

@CyrilRamaphosa So out of touch with your country.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@TheKiffness @PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa Can this kak talk stop already.

[Jared Wright @jaredwright17]

My tribute to the Assist King @wjjleroux ahead of his 100th Springboks cap. 👑 #RSAvITA

https://t.co/2fd84gdsfJ

[investcfm @investcfm]

@CyrilRamaphosa Absolute bullshit. We know what the problems are. ANC...all of you resign...we can rebuild from there.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa Anc all crooks.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@BokScrum1211 There are currently much worse male refs.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@CyrilRamaphosa One less problem.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@Patriot_S_A It's not the DA people that throw all this shit out everywhere.

[investcfm @investcfm]

@RassieRugby Legends!

[Robin du Fayet @RobinduFayet]

It’s official: $OTK is now live on @MEXC_Official 🎉🐙

After our first listing on @kucoincom 2 years ago, Octo takes a major new step joining one of the world’s Top 7 exchanges.

Huge thanks to our friends at MEXC. Here is the full story 👇
https://t.co/PYokwJRv2A

[Ash Müller @Askash]

Ever wondered about the history of the Cape Town Cable Cars on Table Mountain?🚠 Buckle up for the complete timeline below.

When you think of The Mother City, Table Mountain is probably one of the first things that pops into your mind. That famous flat-topped giant is more than just a cool backdrop for selfies—it’s a global icon. It’s also home to one of the most fascinating pieces of engineering in South Africa: the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.🚠

And while most folks focus on the views from the top, there’s a whole support system of property and infrastructure, both at the base and up above, that keeps Cape Town’s world-wonder ticking like a clockwork.

🚠Let's take a ride up history lane...

The idea of building a cableway up Table Mountain started floating around as early as the late 1800s. But like most grand ideas, it took a while to get off the ground—literally.

In 1880, there were serious plans to build a rack railway—a special type of train designed to handle steep slopes. But those plans were put on hold when the first Anglo-Boer War broke out. And for years afterward, the idea gathered dust.

Then, in 1912, the Cape Town City Council asked an engineer named HM Peter to explore different ways to get the public up the mountain. He proposed a funicular (a type of cable-powered railway) that would run through Platteklip Gorge from Oranjezicht. Even though the project had a massive price tag of £100 000, which was a fortune at the time, the public vote showed strong support for the idea.

But just as things were gaining momentum, the First World War erupted in 1914. Since South Africa was part of the British Empire, it was pulled into the conflict, and the mountain railway plan was once again shelved.

After a few delays and design changes (plus two World Wars), the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway finally opened on the 4th of October 1929.

According to the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway website, building the lower and upper stations as well as the tea room at the very top of the mountain took two years to complete. At the time, this entire project cost £60 000. Much cheaper than the original plan for a funicular which was estimated to cost £100 000.

A basic track for a “soapbox” had to be built to transport the building materials, equipment and workers up the mountain for a few dangerous months of construction. Additionally, temporary housing was built for the workers.

The first cars were tiny by today’s standards and looked more like wooden huts with tin roofs dangling from steel ropes. A trip to the top took almost 10 minutes. A fun fact about this era of the Table Mountain Cable Car is that many women visiting the mountain would accidentally hook their stockings on the fynbos. The cable car company then decided to allocate a small portion of its budget for silk stockings to the ladies in need.

Since the cable car's original opening date, upgrades have taken place in 1958, 1974, and October 1997, when it was redesigned to carry more passengers and have a rotating base.

In 1958, the cable car could carry 23 passengers plus one conductor who would operate the cable car. This cable car and the people it was carrying would weigh up to three tonnes. These cable cars operated accident-free and took over 2 million people to the top until their next upgrade in 1974.

In 1974, the cable cars were transformed into much lighter ones. Instead of carrying 23 passengers, they now carried 28.

In 1993, Dennis Hennessy—whose father was one of the original founders of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company—decided to sell the business. The new owners wasted no time and got to work on modernising the operation. They revamped the restaurants, upgraded the equipment, and brought in brand-new cable cars.

Construction on this upgrade started in January 1997. The revamped Cableway officially opened on 4 October 1997 which is the anniversary of the original launch close to 70 years before.

Fast-forward to today, and we’ve got sleek, rotating cable cars (the only type of its kind in Africa) that carry up to 65 people at a time and can carry a maximum weight of 5,200 kg.

Each trip takes about five minutes and the cables that the cars run on are approximately 1.2km long. To date, the cable cars have transported close to 30 million passengers to the top of Table Mountain.

The cable cars transport passengers 704m high and about 363m above sea level from the Lower Cable Station to the Upper Cable Station at 1067m above sea level.

The two newest cable cars were imported from Switzerland and cannot work independently. As one cable car travels up, the other travels down. They rely on each other for counterbalance. Both cable cars travel at a maximum speed of 10 metres per second.

Each cable car at the base is fitted with water tanks that can carry up to 3,000 litres of water to the top of the mountain. This helps keep the cars steady in windy conditions and ensures a reliable supply of fresh water up there.

Some of the more well-known passengers to grace these Cape Town cable cars include Oprah Winfrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelly Rowland, and Daniel Radcliffe. Another notable name who used the cable car to reach the top of Table Mountain was mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary. (He was the first person to summit Everest.)🗻

You can also visit the Transport Museum in Johannesburg, Gauteng, where you will see the first-ever Table Mountain cable cars on display. These cable cars transported King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, and Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth to the top of the mountain.

Holding It Down at the Base⛰️

At the bottom of the mountain, you’ll find the Lower Cable Station, which is a bit like mission control for the whole operation. This area includes everything from ticketing facilities and retail stores to security infrastructure and maintenance buildings.

These properties are all purpose-built to support the massive daily flow of tourists, and trust me, there are loads. On a busy day, thousands of people queue up for a ride. So everything from parking lots to small cafés and even private tour operator offices nearby plays a role in keeping things moving smoothly.

The land itself at the base forms part of a conservation zone so that you won’t find high-rise hotels and malls here. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company operates in a National Park and World Heritage Site. What you will see, however, are carefully managed, tourism-focused properties designed to blend into the mountain’s natural beauty. It’s functional, but still easy on the eyes.

The Peak of Potential🏔️

Now, what’s actually up there once you’ve reached the top? Aside from the jaw-dropping views (which stretch from Robben Island all the way to the Cape Winelands on a clear day), there are a few key property assets and businesses at play.

First off, there’s the Upper Cable Station. It’s home to a restaurant, a gift shop, and a WiFi lounge—yes, even on top of a mountain, we’re still connected. These businesses aren’t just convenience stops for tourists; they’re crucial contributors to the local economy and job market. Everything that goes up has to be brought up by the cable cars, whether it’s food supplies, cleaning materials, or staff, so the logistics here are no joke.

Maintenance workshops and emergency facilities are also part of the setup at the summit, all discreetly integrated into the landscape so as not to mess with the mountain’s natural vibe.

A Wonder of the World—and Rightfully So✨

In December 2012, Table Mountain was officially named one of the New7Wonders of Nature, joining an elite list that includes the Amazon and Halong Bay. It is the only New7Wonder of Nature that can be found in the middle of a city which makes it extremely accessible. This title isn’t just a feel-good win, it put Table Mountain on the global tourism map in a serious way. The cableway since welcomes almost a million passengers annually, and it’s become a rite of passage for anyone visiting the Mother City.

The cableway and the properties that support it, both at the base and at the top, work together like a well-oiled machine. They’ve turned what was once a near-impossible climb into an easy, accessible adventure for families, photographers, hikers, and yes, even influencers.

Table Mountain isn’t just a mountain. It’s a symbol. It’s a meeting point where natural beauty, thoughtful property planning, and solid infrastructure come together to create an unforgettable experience. From the base station properties that keep the crowds flowing, to the businesses up top that make the journey worthwhile - it all works in harmony to support one of the most significant landmarks not just in South Africa, but in the world.

So the next time you’re in Cape Town, don’t just look at the mountain. Go up. And take a moment to appreciate all the people, planning, and property behind that five-minute ride to the top of the world.🚠

[investcfm @investcfm]

@askash Excellent summary and super informative