Trek 4 Mandela groups summit Mount Kilimanjaro

Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela summited Mount Kilimanjaro as a part of the annual Trek 4 Mandela Women’s Day climb to help raise funds for sanitary products for young girls.

The fundraising event sees the group of climbers tackling Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa to raise funds for the Caring 4 Girls programme. For the first time, two groups took part in Trek 4 Mandela. The first group reached the summit on Mandela Day on 18 July and the second group reached the summit Women’s Day on 9 August.

The trek was started by the founder of the Imbumba Foundation in 2012. Since then over 750 000 girls have been assisted thanks to the proceeds of the trip. The foundation hopes to reach two million girls by 2020.

Of the 23 climbers who participated in the Women’s Day group, 21 made it to Uhuru Peak. Post summit, two of the team members fell ill with high altitude related sickness and were evacuated to hospital. They were observed overnight, and both were discharged on 10 August.

Nkateko Mabala, the stakeholder relations manager for the foundation, explained that the climb works to raise awareness about the struggles young girls face during their monthly cycles and provides them with sanitary pads.

She added that it is an honour and a privilege to have Thuli Madonsela climbing Kilimanjaro under the Trek 4 Mandela banner and said that she has been a great ambassador for the event.

When Madonsela announced that she would be taking on the challenge she said that it was not only about testing herself personally but also highlighting that each person needs to step out of their comfort zone to bring an end to poverty and inequality. Following her summit, Madonsela said on Twitter,”This is our small contribution to the South Africa we want and an open invitation to all to play their part in advancing social justice to ensure that we leave no one behind.”

She added, “Summiting Kilimanjaro against unprecedented odds confirmed that many of life’s challenges that seem impossible can be overcome if we focus on our purpose.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa also shared his support for the climb and said applauded the climbers’ efforts to raise enough funds to ensure that one million girls don’t miss school due to not being able to afford sanitary pads.

Those who would like to join next year’s expedition can contact info@imbumbafoundation.org

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/231685/thuli-madonsela-to-tackle-kilimanjaro-to-raise-funds-for-sanitary-pads/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/204568/climbers-care/