Boitumelo Saku-Ramolefe was clocked as the 16 millionth visitor to the site which earned her lots of gifts, including a cash award of about $266, the Cape Argus reported.

"I was confused, happy and excited," a breathless Saku-Ramolefe said as she posed for photographers on the cable car platform.

She said she didn't want her two children, ages 12 and 6, to go up the mountain by themselves because it was too cold.

"I insisted and now I'm glad we went," she said. Her other gifts included free return tickets for her family, a bottle of champagne and a meal in the mountain restaurant.

"It is fitting that in this, the year of our 75th anniversary, we end the year with the celebration of our 16 millionth passenger," said the general manager of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Co.

The company took its 15 millionth passenger about 18 months ago and estimates the 17 millionth passenger may be standing on the mountain by June 2006.