Mpumalanga woman conquers the highest mountain in Africa

A local woman has conquered the highest mountain in Africa. Inspired by the late racing champion Gugulethu Zulu who died in 2016, Antoinette Diphoko (35) recently climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

She said it was one of the most difficult greatest experiences of her life.

According to Diphoko, before they climbed the mountain, that is 5 895m above sea level, they had to go through compulsory training sessions.

“As part of preparations we claimed the Drankensburg, Suikerbosrand and Westcliff. We did this on different days and it helped me to prepare, although it was nothing comparing to what lay ahead.”
On Thursday July 14 they gathered at the Marangu route and began their journey at about 22:30.
“When you start the journey it is very discouraging to look up and see the lights and realise how far you still have to go.”

She said the area was rocky and it was so very cold that her water froze during the climb.As they were ascending Diphoko said she felt nauseas because of the altitude.

“At some point I wanted to give up due the effects of the altitude, but I encouraged myself by remembering why I had started the journey, and the thought of coming home and having to explain why I could not do it.”
Their first stop was at Gilman’s Point.

“When we arrived we celebrated, rested and had something to eat. I had lost track of time and cannot even remember how long it took us to get there, all I had in mind was to keep going. We rested for about 10 minutes and continued with the climb.”
Her main focus was to reach Uhuru Peak. It was icy climbing and her feet were throbbing, but the sunlight gave her hope.

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“I was so tired and by the time we hit the summit I just wanted to take photos and go back down. We did not stay long and then started our descent. Walking back was not nice because I had nothing to look forward to, climbing up was nice because I was on my way to the unknown.”
“When we arrived at the bottom, we could not camp there due to the altitude. We immediately left and slept in another area.”

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Diphoko said one of the interesting things about this journey is that they had the opportunity to give back to the less fortunate through the Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls Programme. It aims to give a voice to young girls, to instil dignity and foster confidence.
Diphoko said she is planning to climb Kilimanjaro again with her daughter.