Zulu content she honoured Gugu with Kilimajaro mount

22 Trek4Mandela climbers back home

The first thing that Letshego Zulu did when she reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro was to scream out loud her daughter’s name to honour her late husband who perished on the same steep last year.

Zulu was among a group of 22 climbers who took part in the annual Trek4Mandela summit which is aimed at raising money to buy sanitary towels for underprivileged school girls. The campaign raised money to buy 12 million pads.

The group conquered the mountain on Tuesday, which was Nelson Mandela’s birthday. This is the same day that her husband, Gugu, passed away in the same expedition last year. He died from high altitude-related illness.

The team returned from Tanzania victorious last night and were welcomed by loud cheers from fans, family and friends who waited patiently at the OR Tambo International Airport.

Nelson Mandela Foundation’s CEO Sello Hatang said it was the toughest expedition because of very low temperature and strong winds that intimidated the team during their four-day trek to the top.

Six members could not finish due to altitude.

Hatang said a medley of inspirational songs, laughter, love and tears kept the team spirit alive and pushed the group to the top.

Zulu, who was holding her two-year-old daughter Lelethu, said although it was a tough journey, she would return again if the opportunity comes.

“It was an emotional summit because that is where Gugu wanted to be, on top of Africa. I made a promise to him that I will do it for both of us.

“I kept that promise. As I was walking towards the summit and before I could take any pictures, I screamed Lelethu’s name loud because that’s what my husband wanted to do,” said Zulu.