Standing on shoulders of community giants

ADVENTURE has always been written in the stars for Monde Sitole, a globetrotting 25 year old.

Born in Nyanga, Cape Town, raised in Port Elizabeth, and then back to Cape Town – Sitole’s travels started at a young age.

He was one of the first to attend school on board the SV Concordia, a Canadian ship that covered many sea miles while students attended classes. They sailed to and from Cape Town, Namibia, St Helena, Brazil, Trinidad, Tobago, and England, to name a few.

Sitole swopped his sea legs for hiking boots when he was chosen to represent Africa at the International Pangaea Mike Horn Young Explorers’ Camp in Switzerland, learning everything about mountaineering.

Armed with new knowledge, he and his expedition tackled Mt Elbrus (Europe’s highest peak), Mt Denali (North America’s highest), and Mt Kilimanjaro (highest in Africa, twice).

Living by the philosophy, “we must never stop caring”, he gives back through the Monde Sitole Educational Strategies Foundation and his Desert Rose Adventure Club in Khayelitsha, where less-fortunate youngsters are given life lessons.

“We want to create informed, compassionate young people. I’m not a self-made man. I stood on the shoulders of strong people in my communities,” he said.

Today, Sitole is that shoulder for others.

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