SA rally driver dies climbing Mt Kilimanjaro
Racing driver Gugu Zulu and his wife, Letshego, on day two of their Kilimanjaro expedition at the Horombo Huts situated 3,705 metres above sea level. Both were known as South Africa’s “adventure couple”. PHOTO | INSTAGRAM/GUGUZULU
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Mr Zulu, 38, was climbing with his wife, Letshego, and a team of other climbers when he experienced breathing problems, the foundation said. “We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life.”
Dar es Salaam/Johannesburg. A renowned South African racing driver, Mr Guguleth Mathebula Zulu, died early yesterday while trying to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for a charity linked to Nelson Mandela, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa)said in a statement.
Mr Zulu arrived in the country on Thursday ready to scale the Africa’s highest mountain in honour of efforts by former South African President Nelson Mandela to support girls from poor families in his country.
“This is the second time tourists from South Africa are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to that effect,” the statement issued by the Tanapa Communications Department said.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation also said in another statement.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce that one of the climbers on the Trek4Mandela, Mr Gugu Zulu, lost his life while summiting Kilimanjaro early this morning.”
Mr Zulu, 38, was climbing with his wife, Letshego, and a team of other climbers when he experienced breathing problems, the foundation said. “We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life.”
He was part of a team of climbers that was marking Mandela’s birthday by trying to reach the peak of Kilimanjaro. The trek was in aid of some 350,000 underprivileged young girls who do not attend school because of a lack of sanitary products. South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma paid tribute to Mr Zulu.
“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and painful incident which has taken place on a day on which we should be rejoicing and celebrating Madiba’s legacy,” said Mr Zuma, referring to Mandela by his clan name. In an update posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, Mr Zulu complained that he was having flu-like symptoms “and struggling with the mountain but taking it step by step!” Mr Sello Hatang, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation who had recruited Mr Zulu to climb the Africa’s highest mountain, said was “devastated” at the news of the death.
