Table Mountain isn’t just a landmark, it’s a living, breathing natural wonder. One moment, it can be bathed in golden sunlight, the next, it’s completely covered in cloud. Have you ever looked up at Table Mountain and seen a thick blanket of clouds rolling over its flat summit? This dramatic natural phenomenon, known as the “tablecloth,” has a fascinating folklore origin, the legendary tale of a retired Dutch pirate named Jan Van Hunks. 

In the early days of Cape Town, when pirates had nothing to do with a soccer club, a retired Dutch buccaneer, Jan van Hunks was known for his love of pipe-smoking. Seeking solitude, he often hiked up the slopes to enjoy his tobacco with a view. 

One fateful day, as Van Hunks settled into his usual perch, a cloaked stranger appeared and struck up a conversation. Their talk quickly turned competitive, and before long, a challenge was issued: who could out-smoke the other? The contest began, each man puffing away as thick clouds swirled around them. 

Hours stretched into days, and the summit disappeared under an ever-growing tablecloth of smoke. At last, the stranger was overcome by the relentless duel. In a dramatic reveal, he threw back his hood to expose his true identity—the Devil himself! With a furious flash of fire, he vanished, leaving Van Hunks victorious, and the mountain permanently marked by their legendary showdown. 

As much as we love a good story, there’s a more natural explanation for the famous cloud cover over Table Mountain. The tablecloth forms when the strong southeasterly wind, known as the Cape Doctor, pushes warm, moisture-laden air up the mountain slopes. As the air rises, it cools, condensing into cloud near the summit. This then ‘spills’ over the other side like a slow-motion waterfall, only to vanish into thin air as it reaches the warmer, drier altitudes below.

To this day, when the famous tablecloth of clouds rolls over Table Mountain, locals say it’s Van Hunks and the Devil at it again, locked in their eternal smoking contest. So, do you believe in the legend, or do you prefer the science? Either way, Table Mountain remains one of the most dynamic and awe-inspiring natural wonders in the world.