SA woman makes landmark Everest summit
Updated | By AFP
A South African business executive reached the top of Mount Everest on Thursday in what is believed to be the first summit of the world's highest mountain by a black African woman.
Saray Khumalo, 47, reached the top of the 8,848-metre (29,029-foot) mountain after three previous bids were thwarted by bad weather, injury and tragedy.
Khumalo's Summits with a Purpose expedition organiser said she was the first black African woman to reach the top of Everest.
Nepal's Tourism Department confirmed that Khumalo had made the summit but had no record on whether she was the first black African woman.
In 2017, strong winds and frostbite forced Khumalo to give up on Everest, just metres from the summit. In 2015, her expedition was cancelled after an earthquake hit Nepal.
All Everest climbs were halted during her first attempt in 2014 when an avalanche killed 16 guides on the mountain.
Khumalo is on a quest to conquer the highest peaks on each continent.
NOW READ: Black woman on a bike? Leave your stereotypes at the door
She has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Aconcagua in Argentina and Mount Elbrus in Russia.
In 2003, South African park ranger Sibusiso Vilane became the first black person to summit Mount Everest.
Khumalo uses her expeditions to raise funds for libraries and support children's educational activities.
"My dream is to go higher and go further for as long as I breathe. To pave a way for my children and other ordinary people, so we may realise and accept that ordinary people like us can achieve extraordinary heights," Khumalo says on her website.
Many Himalayan mountains - including Everest, the world's highest - are at peak climbing season with the window of good weather between late April and the end of May.
The death toll is already mounting, however.
Two Indian climbers have died and a Chilean is missing on Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third-highest mountain, expedition organisers said.
Biplab Baidya, 48, and Kuntal Karar, 46, were on the 8,586-metre (28,169-foot) mountain on the Nepal-India border with a five-member team from India's West Bengal state. An operation was started to retrieve their bodies.
Last week, Peruvian climber Richard Hidalgo died on Mount Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, while a Malaysian died in April after being rescued from Mount Annapurna, where he spent two nights in the open near the summit.
Hundreds of climbers flock each year to Nepal - home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks - creating a lucrative mountain industry for the impoverished country.
Congratulations to iMbokodo Saray Khumalo for being the first Black African Woman to reach the top of the world by conquering Mount Everest. Bosso ke wena! #SarayKhumalo pic.twitter.com/yZ9Gsq7WLH
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 16, 2019
Saray N’kusi Khumalo is the first African woman to summit Mount Everest, in support of her cause of promoting access to education for African children. She reminds us that through courage and perseverance, we can achieve our highest ambitions, for the greater good of humanity. pic.twitter.com/ilKDLR8ZW5
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) May 16, 2019
Congratulations to South African female Business Executive #SarayKhumalo who has all of Africa reverberating with pride by becoming the 1st black woman from Africa to summit Mount Everest. Your achievement will be forever etched in our history. Thank you for making Africa proud! pic.twitter.com/CqY1pputl6
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) May 16, 2019
Show's Stories
-
Have you ever lied about your job to avoid awkward questions?
Sometimes avoiding the questions is safer for both you and the person as...
Danny Guselli 2 hours ago -
British boy becomes champion seagull impersonator
Could this be the most ridiculous competition in the world?
Danny Guselli 2 hours ago