PE-born journalist in double ‘Kili’ summit bid to help girls in need
CLIMBING the highest mountain in Africa is no easy task but for Port Elizabeth-born journalist Gillian Pillay, summiting “Kili” for a third time is fuelled by her passion to ensure girls from her former high school – St Thomas Secondary School in the Bay’s northern areas – benefit from the number of steps she takes.
Attempting a double summit this year, Pillay, 38, who now lives in Johannesburg, is trekking up Kilimanjaro to highlight the plight of girls across South Africa who are forced to stay home from school when they are menstruating.
“Girls have it so much harder, the ripple effect of having to stay away from school [as well as] the overall challenges they have to endure is so damaging long term,” she said.
“Menstruation is not a choice, it is an involuntary bodily function and it should not be a reason why so many lose out on school.
“I could have been that girl, missing up to 50 class days a year.
“I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like, the humiliation of having to stay home due to a lack of funds for sanitary goods.
“If my story as a journalist can change the life of just one girl, I will have achieved so much more than I set out to do.”
Pillay, who will be attempting the double summit with a colleague, said they would be taking about 25 000 steps a day as an SABC team.
“We want corporates, civil society, government and the man on the street to pledge towards the steps we take on the mountain.
“We are likely to take 20 to 25 000 steps as a team and we would like pads to be pledged for the total amount of steps we take. By attempting a double summit, more steps will be taken and more girls can benefit.”
Pillay said she was approached by her managers three years ago as she was considered the fittest in the newsroom to embark on the journey.
“I was told a month before the climb that I would be part of the team, this while other climbers had already done extensive training [but] luckily I had running fitness on my side which came in handy,” she said.
“The 2015 climb came at a time when I was enduring a difficult period in my life and, at the end of it, I was reminded of my resilience, strength and unflinching spirit to rise above any dark patch.
“I am honoured to have been approached again by news management to represent the SABC and join the trek.
“This year it is more special as it marks what would have been Madiba’s 100th birthday. I, an ordinary girl from the northern areas of Port Elizabeth, get to be part of this historic moment.”
Attributing mental strength as a major role in the climb, Pillay has been enduring a strenuous preparation regime by training at the Westcliff Stairs in Randburg.
“I am blessed to be asked to return based on my level of fitness but, more importantly, I have bought an elevation mask with four levels so that I can control my oxygen intake.
“The mask restricts oxygen to my lungs and in that way strengthens my lungs.
“The lower the oxygen intake during training runs, the stronger my lungs.
“Mental strength plays a major role in the climb – if your mind is not ready then you are good as defeated.”
Pillay said that while she was aware of the dangers, as phrases like “you’re crazy, you want to die” often come up when people learn about her adventurous decision, her family were the real heroes of her story.
“I have always had the backing of my biggest supporters – my parents, siblings and family – who seldom verbalise their fears and, in a way, I appreciate that.
“We are faced with death daily and when we climb, safety comes first.
“I firmly hold onto my faith and the prayers and well wishes of my family.”