PHOTOS: Thuli peaks Mount Kili
Although the route was challenging, music and reaching the summit were a few things that kept her going on the mountain.
THULI Tabudi successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and has raised R10 000 to date for Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre.
Tabudi said her adventurous climb for charity exceeded her expectations. “Nothing could have prepared me for the trip. The hours at the gym, hikes and runs definitely paid off. But nothing could have prepared me for the hard work that awaited my calves and the fact that the route that I took is the most difficult route,” she said.
Although the route was challenging, music and reaching the summit were a few things that kept her going on the mountain. “It was the thought of the picture at Uhuru Peak which is epic. I had asked my daughter to load different genres of music on my phone. She ensured that she saved favourite songs of each one of my children. She also downloaded my own favourites,as well as my dad’s. So while in my mind I could be thinking of throwing in the towel, a special gospel song would play or a Black Mambazo song would play and remind me of home. My music carried me through the eight hours it took to get to the summit and it felt like I had my children, mom and my late dad with me keeping me company,” she recalled.
“When reached the summit I was confused and disorientated due to the brain having to operate on reduced oxygen. I was freezing and could not even smile for the photo as it felt like my jaws were locked. I was pleased and relieved that it was over and that I had persevered until the end”. However, despite the confusion and locked jaws, Tabudi described the experience as a great opportunity to test one’s body and mind’s abilities and would also consider doing it again.
Ethelbert PRO Gaylene Allen said Tabudi has been associated with Ethelbert for a number of years as she used to be on the Board. “We are so proud of this amazing woman who achieved something that most of us only dream of doing, and that is to climb to the top of Africa’s highest mountain. This is no mean feat. We are also very grateful to her, and her supporters, for the money she raised for Ethelbert on the back of her trek up Kilimanjaro.”
