Drakensberg Cable Car

The Cavern is posting photos of slides on their facebook page. Not sure where they are from, but the one was a summary of feasibility. They say that conservatively they expect 300 000 people per year at R228 per adult and R114 per child.

If its not too windy 90 full days and 90 half days, that works out as 44 loads of 50 people per full day. Sani Pass only gets around 50 people on a busy day, really odd...

I had a look at EKZN's 2010 financial statements (couldn't find anything more recent), if you take their 2010 revenue from admissions, adjust it up at the rate it increased from 2009 to 2010 to estimate a 2013 figure, you then take 50% to assume that half is from Berg admissions (a very high over the top estimate) and assume that R45 is the average paid per Berg visit each year you come out at 304 000 people per year.

If I was doing the feasibility study I would definitely consider past records of admissions as part of investigating how many people would be reasonably expected to use the cable car each year - although it would have to be adjusted down for not everyone who visits the Berg using the cable car when they visit, weather stopping people from going up, downtime due to servicing, the fact that many people would be double counted etc.

So, in summary, its not impossible that this is how they came to the number (although if this is how they got to the number, its a very flawed calculation).

I was thinking roughly the same thing re the "responsible government" point, but didn't want to bring up politics. But thats given me an idea, I'm going to try to raise this as an issue with opposition parties, maybe if they use it for a campaign point ahead of the next elections (especially R500m for 30 jobs) the state will drop this stupidity.

That comment on the litter is a real shocker - I think proper hikers pick up more litter than they leave. Also they are assuming that hikers will use a cable car instead of walking and that the extra people in the area won't litter or walk around. Maybe while they were checking out the spot they bought some "products" from the locals

Just sent a message to the DA with a summary of some of the facts, I imagine if a few of us try to push the issue they will probably listen.

Also just had a very brief look at the remarks by the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism - looks like its no longer a question of whether or not it will go ahead and its just a case of when.