Gugu Zulu dies summiting Kilimanjaro

Zulu was one of the climbers for Trek4Mandela.

According to the Nelson Mandela Foundation, details are sketchy.

"What we do know is that Gugu experienced problems breathing. The medical team supporting the trek put him on a drip and they descended the mountain with him. We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life," the foundation said in a statement.

The foundation said Zulu was climbing Kilimanjaro with his wife, Letshego, and it is understood that they both descended the mountain together with Richard Mabaso, the project leader and the medical teams. The team was led by experienced mountaineer, Sibusiso Vilane.

"On behalf of the Board and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation we extend our sincere condolences to his wife Letshego Zulu, their daughter Lelethu and the Zulu family on this tragic loss," the foundation said.

Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation said, "I am devastated. I knew him well. I recruited him to climb Kilimanjaro. The last thing he said to me at the airport before he left last week was that he wanted to speak about doing other Mandela Day projects. I feel a huge sense of loss."