Madonsela set to summit Mt Kilimanjaro
FORMER public protector-turned academic Thuli Madonsela will climb Mt Kilimanjaro next year as part of Trek4mandela.
Each year, climbers attempt to summit Africa’s highest peak on Nelson Mandela’s birthday – July 18 – to draw attention to the plight of schoolgirls who have their own mountain to climb: dealing with the taboo of menstruation and missing school as a result.
Madonsela will attempt the summit on Human Rights Day, March 21.
“I have decided to step up and show up by climbing Mt Kilimanjaro.
“It is now not just about stretching myself, but about highlighting that if we are going to bring an end to poverty and inequality in this country and the world, each and every one of us has to step up and move beyond our comfort zones… and for me Mt Kilimanjaro is not in my comfort zone,” she said.
Last year Trek4mandela arranged a second climb – on August 9 to commemorate Women’s Day. Madonsela’s climb follows in the footsteps.
The proceeds of the climb will go towards the Caring4girls programme, Trek4mandela’s sister campaign, which distributes sanitary pads to schools in a nationwide outreach, as well as the brand new Trek100 programme launched this year, which aims to develop a new cohort of school leaders.
These 100 specially selected girls will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience some of the world’s seven wonders on the seven continents. The first expedition was launched last month (September 21), when eight girls hiked north Africa’s Atlas Mountains, before exploring the Sahara desert.
Imbumba Foundation’s Richard Mabaso said: “Through this initiative we hope to inspire a million teenagers by 2020. Each girl participating in a Trek100 journey will be assigned to visit 10 schools post their expedition, to share their experience with their peers. There is a strong focus on empowerment and leadership as part of these epic adventures, with an international leadership development company facilitating hands-on development and training.”
Since its inception in 2012, Trek4mandela has touched the lives of more than 700 000 girls. |
The Human Rights Day expedition is by invitation only and will not be replacing the annual Trek4mandela summit expedition in July. If you would like to know more about the July expedition or would like to contribute to the Caring4girls initiative, please contact Nkateko Mabale on email: nkateko@imbumbafoundation. org or call: 011 883 0379 or
66 214 2520.