Table Mountain is South Africa’s only candidate in the Official New7Wonders of Nature contest which aims to raise awareness of the incredible variety and beauty of nature around us.

“We are immensely proud of how far Table Mountain has come. To be in the final 28 sites from an initial round of 440 is a massive achievement. Now in the final stretch of the race, we urge all South Africans to become activists for this campaign by encouraging their friends and family far and wide to vote for South Africa’s only representative: Table Mountain,” said Sabine Lehmann, of the Table Mountain official supporters committee.

After casting her vote, Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille said, “Not only do we have our people, our culture, and our heritage, but we also have the privilege of one of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth; a country of subliminal natural beauty. If Table Mountain is officially recognized as a New 7 Wonder of Nature, it will commend that unique offering to the world. Economic analysts predict far more tourist revenue which means jobs and more opportunities for everyone in the City of Cape Town, and the country. We must take the initiative. Tremendous benefits await us if we all do our part and come together. I urge you to vote for Table Mountain today.”

Table Mountain is also the only site in the competition that can claim to have three living Nobel Peace Prize winners supporting its' cause - Nobel Peace Prize winners Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk have pledged their support for Table Mountain in the race to be named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

FW de Klerk, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with Nelson Mandela said: “Table Mountain is the defining visual icon of Cape Town and South Africa.  It has been the backdrop to the unfolding of South African history. Its imposing stature makes one forget that Table Mountain has more plant species than all of the United Kingdom, hence its declared status as a World Heritage Site.

“But Table Mountain does not belong only to the Western Cape. As a National Park it belongs to all of us in this country. As a World Heritage site, it belongs to the International Community. Elections seldom unite a country. Occasions do. Last year the soccer world cup united us as a country. Now we have an election that can unite us again. Vote for Table Mountain as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.”

The Vote for Table Mountain campaign recently announced that South Africans now have the advantage of voting on Mxit at only 20c a vote, and can vote as many times as they like.

You can also vote for Table Mountain by visiting www.votefortablemountain.com or by texting the word Table to 34874 at R2 an SMS. Voting closes on 11 November 2011. It is estimated that a billion votes from around the world – online and via SMS – will be cast, providing Table Mountain and South Africa with unprecedented marketing exposure.