At Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, we know that creating an unforgettable visitor experience takes more than just the journey to the top. Behind the scenes, there are passionate local businesses and entrepreneurs whose hard work helps make every visit to Table Mountain special.

On Friday, 26 June 2026, we celebrated these businesses at our annual Supplier Development and Excellence Awards, hosted in partnership with Siyakha. The evening recognised entrepreneurs who continue to grow, innovate and contribute to Cape Town's tourism economy.

For more thana decade, our Supplier Development Programme has supported local businesses through mentorship, coaching and practical business development. From financial management and governance to branding, compliance and market access, the programme helps entrepreneurs build stronger, more sustainable businesses.

"Our suppliers play an essential role in every visitor's experience on Table Mountain. By investing in their growth, we are strengthening local businesses, deepening long-term partnerships and contributing to a more resilient tourism sector. It is incredibly rewarding to celebrate what these entrepreneurs have achieved and the dedication they continue to show in growing their businesses," said Selma Hercules, Executive Director at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.

According to Michael Johnstone, Lead Consultant for Small Business Development at Siyakha, TMACC's Supplier Development Programme is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond simply running a business towards building sustainable enterprises capable of long-term growth. 

"Our role is to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, systems and confidence to grow. We work alongside them on everything from governance and compliance to branding, market expansion and business strategy. The goal is not simply to help them secure one contract, but to support businesses that can continue creating opportunities and jobs well into the future," said Johnstone.

Businesses recognised through TMACC’s Supplier Development Programme included Carlie's Darlings, Halaal Hopper, Ngena eKasi Tours, Vision2 Telecommunications, Ecco Med, NCC Environmental Services, Skona Clothing, Vetkat Art Foundations and Heritage on the Move.

The evening also recognised businesses that demonstrated outstanding performance through TMACC’s Supplier Excellence Programme: 

• The 12 businesses that took part in the assessment process improved their average score from a baseline of 83.3% to 88.5% following targeted mentorship and development support.
• Several businesses achieved scores above 90%, while one business achieved a perfect score of 100%, reflecting improvements in governance, operational capability, financial management, service delivery and professionalism.

Businesses that demonstrated outstanding performance throughout the Supplier Excellence Programme include:

• Highest Ranking Award: Vision2 Telecommunications
• Most Improved Award: Woodland Designs
• Environmental Impact Award: Lilly Loompa Creative
• Overall Business Award: Casbo Trading

One of the most inspiring stories of the evening was that of Shannon Boyd, founder of Casbo Trading. After losing everything during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shannon rebuilt her business through determination and resilience, earning the Overall Business Award.

The Environmental Impact Award went to Lizl Naude of Lilly Loompa Creative, whose business transforms waste materials into creative branded products, proving that sustainability and innovation can go hand in hand.

As we move closer to celebrating 100 years of connecting visitors to one of the world's most iconic natural attractions, we remain committed to creating opportunities for local businesses to grow alongside us. Together, we're building a stronger, more inclusive tourism industry for Cape Town.