TRIBUTE: Gugu Zulu lived his best life

Gugu Zulu was a celebrated racing car driver who quickly became known as "the fastest brother in Africa" after starting his career in 1999.

Once he joined the Sasol Stream Team in 2001, his star status quickly grew and he became a popular personality on the celebrity circuit.

Suddenly he was being nominated for awards such as best-dressed male celebrity or best celebrity couple with his wife, Letshego.

And he loved it.

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As he became a household name in South Africa, Gugu and his wife started doing something spectacular for fitness awareness in the country. Labelling themselves the "adventure couple", they took South Africans with them on their journeys.

From mountain bike rides to zip lining and hikes, this passionate couple were always side by side supporting each other and others with their love for fitness.

I first met Gugu at a celebrity car-racing day at Kyalami racetrack a few years back. Being a pro, he took the wheel with ease and wowed everyone with his daring nature.

"Just get in. It's a thrill. You won't be scared," he urged me.

It was exactly that attitude that encouraged people to break their own boundaries and try something new.

Gugu and his wife made the odd appearance at entertainment events. But after the birth of their baby girl in June last year, and while spending their early mornings doing some or other exercise, the duo would always skip out early.

"Gotta go. I've got a 5am bike ride."

• Perils and pitfalls of climbing KilimanjaroIt’s no secret that climbing the African continent’s highest peak comes with its fair share of pitfalls and perils‚ but the death of South African racing driver Gugu Zulu while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro serves as a warning to future climbers. 

That's how they earned the moniker "adventure couple", no doubt. While being a celebrity couple and maintaining their passion for working out to better themselves, Gugu and Letshego wanted to inspire South Africans to do the same – to be fit, healthy and adventurous.

I didn't get into the car all those years ago, as Gugu prompted me to do. I immediately wished I had, but if there's one lesson we can all learn from Gugu - one we know but all too often don't take heed of - is to live your best life.

He sure as hell did.