Mt. Everest 2005: Sibusiso Vilane Returns Safely to SA Making History for a Second Time

©EverestNews.com

Two years after becoming the first black African to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Sibusiso Vilane, has made history for the second time successfully summiting Mount Everest from the more difficult North Ridge on the 3rd of June. This makes him the first black man in the world to climb the world’s highest peak from both the North

and South Ridge.

At a press conference held at the Sandton Sun Intercontinental, Vilane, who landed safely back in South Africa this morning, said: “When there is a mountain between you and your personal goals, you have to move the mountain. I have not conquered a mountain but rather I have achieved my goals.”

Vilane shares his elation with the children from the charities he climbed for. His sole purpose for joining this expedition was to aid three charities namely, Birth to Twenty, SOS Children’s Village–Swaziland and Africa Foundation.

Vilane’s second attempt was more ambitious, as he approached the 8,848m peak from the more difficult North Ridge. Although the summit was a success they were faced with many hazardous factors, some hair-raising moments and bad weather.

Vilane comments on the weather, “It was frightening and the wind was so strong that at one point I thought we were going to be blown right back to South Africa.”

Vilane expressed gratitude to all his African supporters especially his

expedition sponsors; Cape Union Mart, Anglo American, Mazda and Batsalani. Other sponsors that he would like to thank are: the telethon sponsors, PLP, as well as the sponsors of his return activities; Southern Sun, who sponsored the press conference and accommodation for the Vilane family and kulula.com who sponsored the flights for the Vilane family and Tin Can who kept the public through the media up to date on Vilane’s progress during the

expedition.

Now that he has returned, Vilane says he would love to get involved with schools around the country, to motivate and inspire the South African youth to believe in their dreams and make them a reality.

Background

In 2003 Vilane, a 34-year-old game ranger, father of three and native of South Africa and Swazi, became the first black man to summit Mount Everest. The goal of Vilane’s climb this year is to raise money for three children's charities: The Birth to Twenty Research Programme at Wits University, the Africa Foundation and the SOS Children's Village in Swaziland. Vilane will be climbing with South African Alex Harris and world-renowned explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. When Vilane returns from his climb he hopes to be more involved in public speaking—specifically to motivate and inspire children.

Undaunted by a full day in Everest’s “death zone” Vilane was reported still elated by his experiences atop Everest when he touched down at London’s Heathrow Airport. He spent some time resting in Britain before returning to a hero’s welcome in South Africa

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