Sandton trailblaser tackles Ama Dablam to raise GBV awareness

Angela Yeung, founder of the Illovo based Impilo Collection Foundation and a proud ambassador for Brand South Africa, is preparing to conquer the challenging Ama Dablam peak in Nepal as part of her mission to raise awareness about gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

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Standing at 6 812 metres, Ama Dablam is renowned for its steep, technical terrain.
Yeung, a Sandton resident, is no stranger to high-altitude expeditions, having previously summited Manaslu at 8 163 metres in 2023.

However, she believes that this climb surpasses her previous accomplishments, requiring more advanced technical skills and navigation across ice, rocks, and snow.

For Yeung, this climb symbolises the monumental and undefeated challenge that GBVF presents to many women who face fear and silence.

“The mountain I am climbing is symbolic of the path to a young woman’s voice, her empowerment, and the independence we are all striving for,” Yeung shares.

Her expedition is more than a personal achievement, it’s a journey to shatter the stigma surrounding GBVF and to channel funds toward educational programmes aimed at empowering young women who have experienced the trauma of gender-based violence (GBV).

The Impilo Collection Foundation is already known for its impactful work in addressing GBVF.

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Its #EmpowerHer campaign, launched in 2022, collected 8 848 bras, representing the height of Mount Everest, to raise awareness about GBVF.

These bras were displayed at Johannesburg’s Constitution Hill and later distributed to GBV shelters during International Women’s Month, leaving a powerful legacy.

Yeung draws inspiration from the name Ama Dablam, meaning mother’s necklace, and sees her climb as a tribute to the nurturing strength of women.

“The mountain’s ridges resemble the arms of a mother protecting her child, and the glacier is thought of as the traditional Sherpa pendant, symbolising protection,” she explained.

Scheduled from October 9 to November 3, Yeung’s expedition is supported by brands like Cathay Pacific, GoPro, and Zara Wellness.

She plans to carry the South African flag and brand logos to the summit, paying tribute to her country and her sponsors, who align with her cause. Generous benefactors of her journey will receive commemorative keepsakes, symbolizing the metaphorical mountains scaled together.

“This fight against GBVF requires the collective strength of all supporters and allies. Together, we can raise mountains and make a lasting impact,” Yeung concludes.

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