A hero’s welcome for the Trek4Mandela team
The Trek4Mandela team received a heartfelt hero’s welcome at O. R. Tambo International Airport on Monday evening, where the mayor Clr Mondli Gungubele received each and every team member with a congratulatory handshake.
“Welcome home, you are the nation’s pride, your courageous act of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness on the plight of others portrayed Nelson Mandela’s attribute of resilience,” said the proud Gungubele to the climbers.
The team arrived on Monday following a successful summit of Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, on International Mandela Day on Saturday, last week.
Mountaineer Sibusiso Vilane lead a group of 37 accomplished and amateur mountain climbers to Uhuru Peak, which is 5 895 meters above sea level, to raise funds for a campaign which aims to restore dignity to the African girl child.
Over 270 000 girls from disadvantaged areas across South Africa are set to benefit from the Caring4Girls campaign, an initiative which raises funds in order to provide young girls with sanitary products.
Media personality Penny Lebyane and a first time climber of Mount Kilimanjaro said: “It has been an emotional but fulfilling journey.
“As a woman I resonate with the challenges of the girl child entering womanhood and the lack of sanitary products should never hinder her academic life while I can help.”
Most of the climbers vowed to take up the challenge again next year should they be given the opportunity. They also pledged to continue doing good in honour of Mandela’s legacy.
Also read:
South Africans climb Kilimanjaro to raise funds
