Reaching the peaks of hope

The Trek4Mandela team did it! On Saturday the 18th of July, Madiba’s birthday, the Trek4Mandela team aimed to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Jerry Mabena summited on the 18th and we are so proud of his achievement. “I am thrilled to have made it all the way. Although it was really a tough and testing expedition, it has been a truly humbling experience and I enjoyed every minute,” says Jerry.

Thebe Foundation’s CEO Mokgethi Tshabalala, Thebe Oil & Gas’ CEO Zukie Siyotula and Thebe Services’ Jerry Mabena all took part in the expedition and we are extremely proud of this exceptional achievement. Jerry Mabena made it all the way, but unfortunately Mokgethi and Zukie fell ill before they could reach the top. At the recommendation of the team doctor, they were encouraged to sit-out the rest of the journey. The conditions on Mount Kilimanjaro are extremely harsh and to make it as far as they did is a noteworthy achievement in itself.

The trekkers in this event did so, not for their own glory, but for a very worthwhile cause. The Trek4Mandela was established in 2012 by the founder of the Caring4Girls initiative, Richard Mabaso. This expedition was established in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of underprivileged adolescent girls with the desire to discredit the obscurities surrounding the changes associated with this important milestone. Since its inception, the Trek4Mandela expedition has gained some momentum with a number of people backing the initiative such as Lil-lets, the Thebe Foundation and Thebe Ya Mosadi, the Mandela family as well as other well renowned South African celebrities.

The trekkers were aiming to raise a minimum of R1.5-million, which will go towards Caring4Girls, an initiative aimed at empowering young girls to take ownership of their journey to womanhood with the provision of essential feminine hygiene products. This would mean enough funds to ensure that 270 000 girl children will not miss a day of school.

Their journey to summit Mount Kilimanjaro began on 14 July 2015 and there is no doubt that the team was excited and a little anxious. After tireless fitness sessions, months of preparation and hiking expeditions, they can proudly say that they have achieved their goal. Well done and a huge congratulations from Thebe!