Founder of Take Back Our MountainsTaahir Osman

Taahir Osman is the founder and driving force behind Take Back Our Mountains (TBOM), a community-led initiative started in 2018 in response to a rise in crime on Table Mountain.

Born and raised in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs, Taahir developed a deep connection with Table Mountain from a young age, starting his hiking journey at just 12 years old. His love of the outdoors and his concern for the safety of fellow hikers, runners and cyclists led him to act when violent incidents on the mountain kept rising. In 2018, after responding to an attack on a group of hikers, some of them close friends, he decided to mobilise a community response. What started as small safety patrols with friends quickly grew into a large movement, bringing together people from all walks of life with a shared vision of safer, more accessible mountains.

Under his leadership, TBOM has grown into a recognised stakeholder in Table Mountain National Park, working with the authorities, SANParks and local communities on safety, conservation and community engagement. Beyond the mountain, Taahir is a local entrepreneur and building contractor, qualified in quantity surveying, and owner of OBR Construction.

He remains closely involved in TBOM’s day-to-day work, spending several days a week on the mountain patrolling, talking to the public and driving projects that protect people and the environment.

In 2025 he launched TBOM Tourism, a division offering safe, guided and chauffeur-driven experiences that directly support the non-profit, including a bursary programme to help young people from disadvantaged communities qualify as tour guides.