Take Back Our Mountains (TBOM) was established in January 2018 by Taahir Osman in response to the alarming rise in crime on Table Mountain. A series of violent attacks and tragic incidents had begun to affect the central sections of the mountain, particularly along the Kalk Bay mountain range.

One Saturday morning, Taahir Osman responded to an emergency at Silvermine Gate 2, where nine hikers had been brutally attacked. While assisting with the evacuation, loading injured hikers into ambulances and coordinating with the rescue helicopter it became evident that the victims were close friends and regular hiking companions.

The following day, alongside the SAPS forensic team and one of the victims, the trail was revisited and found to be covered in blood, highlighting the severity of the attack. In response, Taahir Osman and Rashaad Solomons initiated the first Visitor Safety Patrol on the Kalk Bay mountains, recovering several items that had been stolen from the hikers.

Shortly thereafter, a message was shared on social media declaring the mission to “Take Back Our Mountains.” This call to action sparked significant public interest. Riyaad Syms, an avid hiker, reached out to join the safety patrols, followed by many others from the hiking and running communities. This led to the establishment of monthly TBOM hikes across identified hotspot areas on Table Mountain, with hundreds of participants joining in support.

By December 2018, Take Back Our Mountains became an official stakeholder within Table Mountain National Park. The initiative continued to promote the principle of “safety in numbers” through organized community hikes and trail runs in high-risk areas. Cyclists also joined the movement, helping to raise awareness of crime both on and off the mountain.

Over time, TBOM expanded its efforts to include regular visitor safety patrols, bark and snare patrols, environmental clean-up campaigns, and community outreach programmes particularly focused on youth development and charitable initiatives.

More recently, TBOM has launched safe, guided and chauffeur-driven tours to Cape Town’s iconic sites. A portion of all tour proceeds is reinvested into the non-profit organisation, enabling continued efforts to protect the environment, uplift communities, and support new initiatives such as guide bursaries for individuals actively contributing to conservation and safety efforts on Table Mountain.

Our Vision
To protect biodiversity while creating a safer, cleaner environment for both local residents and international visitors.