Launched by Sir Edmund Hillary, The Table Mountain Fund is a capital Conservation Trust Fund that develops and funds projects to protect and restore the world-famous natural heritage of the Cape, known as the Fynbos.
In 1993 WWF South Africa had the foresight to raise the start-up capital for The Table Mountain Fund. By 1998 South African custodians had donated R10 million and the Trust was registered, with the fund being later expanded via a significant investment from the World Bank.
To date, The Table Mountain Fund has invested close to R100 million in over 350 projects. These projects range from purchasing important conservation land and engaging landowners in sustainable land management, to funding applied research, and supporting civil society to carry out innovative conservation projects in high value conservation areas.
Table Mountain and the Cape Floral Region
Table Mountain
The majestic profile of Table Mountain has for centuries been an inspiration for visitors to the Cape. Even those who live and work at the foot of the mountain feel the power of this world-famous landmark. And yet even more awe-inspiring than its famous profile are the unique plants and animals that live on the mountain, oblivious to the hustle and bustle of the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town below.
Cape Floral Region
Located at the south-western tip of South Africa, the Cape Floral Region is the smallest and richest of the Earth’s six floral kingdoms. Home to nearly half of South Africa’s plant species, its characteristic vegetation, known as fynbos, is found nowhere else on Earth. Its uniqueness has earned the Cape recognition as a World Heritage Site and a Global Biodiversity Hotspot.
TMNP
Situated at Africa’s south-western tip, the Table Mountain National Park is recognised globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora and is a truly remarkable natural, scenic, historical, cultural and recreational asset both locally and internationally. Established in 1998, it is one of the few National Parks in the world to be located within a large cosmopolitan city.
Table Mountain Fund Programmes
PRIDE PROGRAMME
TMF’s Pride Programme aims to instil in individuals an understanding and appreciation of fynbos. By encouraging individuals to immersing themselves in fynbos, they will gain a better understanding of the uniqueness of this diverse floral kingdom, their appreciation and love for fynbos will grow, and in turn they will become proud to be custodians of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
PROSPERITY PROGRAMME
Through TMF’s Prosperity Programme, the Fund aims to unlock the potential of fynbos-based economies in order to provide economic and social benefits for our local communities. Through knowledge and skills development, TMF aims to see more youth choose careers in fynbos conservation, as well as to see a growing tourism industry, where visitors come specifically to immerse themselves in fynbos.
CARE PROGRAMME
TMF is committed to growing and strengthening the conservation community of the Cape Floral Kingdom, by facilitating the inclusion and involvement of new entrants into conservation. TMF best delivers on the Care programme through supporting small and micro grant facilities, which offer financial aid in support of conservation projects being implemented by fledging community-based organisations.
FYNBOS FOREVER PROGRAMME
TMF’s Fynbos Forever Programme aims to ensure that priority natural ecosystems are healthy and resilient. It includes protection of land and the appropriate management thereof, to allow for future generations to continue to benefit from our unique biodiversity and the services provided by these intact and functional ecosystems.
Support Us
The Table Mountain Fund has delivered excellent results in restoring and protecting the natural wonders of the Cape Floristic Region. But there is much more to do as the threats to this unique World Heritage Site are mounting every day. Join international donors, local partners and dedicated individuals in saving our unique species and ecosystems, allowing people and nature to thrive.
Join us as we protect and restore the natural wilderness of Table Mountain and the rich biodiversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Latest News
September 25, 2024
In early 2024, in order to meet the Fund’s Conservation objectives, we put out a call for concept proposals that aligned with at least one of the Fund’s four Programmes – Fynbos Forever, Care, Prosperity and Pride. The projects had to be based within the…
September 17, 2024
Each year, our Management Team and Board of Trustees head out into the field to visit one of our TMF-funded projects. This year, we treated ourselves to a trip during flower season to the TMF-funded 𝙑𝙞𝙖 𝙁𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙖: 𝙁𝙮𝙣𝙗𝙤𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙙𝙜𝙚, located on Papkuilsfontein in…
September 13, 2024
In August 2024, we bid farewell to our long-serving board member, Yumnaa Firfirey, who dedicated nine years to the Table Mountain Fund over three terms as a Trustee. We extend our deepest thanks to Yumnaa for her unwavering commitment and for continuously guiding us to…