No mountain is too high for this child of Africa
“I HATE limitations. Anything that limits me frustrates me,” says former TV personality and motivational speaker Masingita Masunga, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was a few months old. The disorder affects muscle tone, movement and co-ordination, so it is a challenge for sufferers to take part in many physical activities – let alone summit a 4 900m mountain, such as Kilimanjaro.
But Masunga, who has always pushed the boundaries, is preparing to join those who have climbed it.
She says putting limits on those suffering from cerebral palsy is part of the reason people look down on them.
“Whenever you try to limit me, there is something inside me that rises and that has cost me at times. Those are the times I would wish that I wasn’t like this. But I push the limits and boundaries because I don’t understand why one must be limited.”
On why she is so determined, she says: “I agree that it would be easier not to live one’s purpose, just stand by the robots and beg for money.
“But I want, at the end of my life when I see God, for Him to say: ‘Well done! You did what you were born to do.’”
Masunga who has had to fight to make her mark, says: “The world is a brutal place, especially when you have a disability. You’d expect that people would have seen me on TV and therefore would be kinder, but no,” she says.
“I chose the most hostile industry to exist in and still have to fight for the basic things. But, as you grow, you learn which battles to fight and, to protect myself, I have had to walk away numerous times and do what I can do.”
With this in mind, Masunga went on to dedicate her life to inspiring the African child.
Conquering Mount Kilimanjaro is not only about ticking her bucket list but also to raise funds for building an education centre, called the African Dream Village.
The institution, which forms part of her 40 for 40 Initiatives as she turns 40 this year, will be designed to educate African children and help them find their purpose.
“I realised our education system and curriculum are not equipping the African child and are still very limiting and very dictating. So, for the past 10 years I’ve wanted to develop a curriculum and build an institution that will help African children be who they are while learning.
“Learning doesn’t have to change who you are,” she adds.
Masunga says climbing Kilimanjaro is also meant to inspire African children and show them “there are limitations but there is no mountain that is too high”.
The 40 for 40 Initiatives will also celebrate PAC founder Robert Sobukwe as this year marks 40 years since his death. “Sobukwe stood for education that services Africa, so it is only fitting to celebrate him.”
Masunga is due to leave on Saturday.