Madonsela summits Kili again
AVID climber Professor Thuli Madonsela summited Mount Kilimanjaro on Nelson Mandela Day on July 18 as part of an all-women team that climbed with her.
The Thuma Foundation congratulated its founder, Madonsela, and the #Trek4Mandela- #Caring4Girls team that organised the expedition.
The foundation said Madonsela’s trip was sponsored by Paul Dunn and Northam Platinum.
“We also thank all who have continued to donate money and sanitary pads to the #Caring4Girls initiative aimed at liberating girl education from period poverty barriers, while fostering self-leadership and resilience among girls.”
Madonsela’s summiting of Kilimanjaro, along the Rongai Route in Tanzania, is her second. Her first was via the Marangu Route in 2019 on Women’s Day, August 9.
Reflecting on the climb and her reason for reaching the summit, Madonsela said: “In Africa, we say ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ My summiting Kilimanjaro for girls is my contribution to the village that seeks to give all girl children a fair start in life.
“I also participated in the Kilimanjaro
quest as a member of the #Action4Inclusion village that is disrupting student debt as a barrier to completing university studies for many young people.
“Going back to summit Kilimanjaro for the send time, despite knowing the gruelling challenges awaiting to be traversed, was also about growing awareness about social justice imperatives and the need for all, particularly those privileged like me, to play their part in action aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind by 2030.”