The Trek4Mandela team reaches highest point in Africa

The Imbumba Foundation’s Trek4Mandela programme recently had its participants proudly waving the South African flag at Africa’s highest point – Mount Kilimanjaro – during their annual expedition on July 18.

This year, the organisation had 19 climbers who took on the challenge to climb the mountain in honour of Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Climbers were led by Sibusiso Vilane, the Trek4Mandela expedition leader who is no stranger to exploring the world.

With celebrating Mandela Day as the focus of the expedition, the main purpose was to continue to create awareness of period poverty. Founder of Sandton-based Imbumba Foundation Richard Mabaso has been supporting thousands of young girls with his team by donating sanitary pads and educating learners about menstrual hygiene since 2010.

CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang said, “This has been an amazing experience, one that can never be repeated. To see so many people determined to not only get to the end but ensure that they achieve the goal that was set right from the beginning, was moving. If only as a nation we could always think like that and be determined to build a nation that cares about the poor and the vulnerable, we would go far.”

The foundation is scheduled to have another expedition in August with 11 female climbers participating for Women’s Day. “We are wishing all the participants the best of luck as they attempt to reach Uhuru Peak [Mount Kilimanjaro] on women’s day to honour those before them who fought for women’s liberation in this country,” concluded Mabaso.

The 2022 August expedition was initially inspired by Professor Thuli Madonsela and Sibusiso Vilane when they took on the Mount Kilimanjaro mission back in 2019.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/317785/brescia-keeps-up-their-commitment-for-mandela-day/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/317775/iie-varsity-college-celebrates-mandela-day-with-the-youth-of-afika-tikkun/