Image: Gugu Zulu via Facebook
A year after racing car driver Gugu Zulu died trying to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, his widow, Letshego, will return to the mountain to honour him.
Letshego said she decided last year she would be a part of this year's Trek 4 Mandela climb up Kilimanjaro. The trek, which is undertaken each year to raise funds for sanitary pads for schoolgirls, is this year themed #Climb4Gugu in Zulu's honour.
"Even as I was descending last year with Gugu, I knew I had to return again. I had to do it for him. I had to do it for me. I had to do it for the people this initiative helps support," Letshego said.
"I want to honour my husband and I'm going back in memory of him. I know it is what he would have wanted," she said.
Zulu died after struggling with respiratory problems while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
His widow said the months that followed Zulu's death were some of the hardest of her life and she was often "on autopilot".
"I was on autopilot but I am fully aware now of what is happening. I have had to prepare for this climb emotionally and it has been difficult. I still haven't completely processed everything that has happened but I am taking it one step at a time," Letshego said.
"[Gugu's and my parents] have always supported our adventures. They simply asked if I was sure and if I would be strong and then wished me luck. They know the cause of helping girls is a special one for me and Gugu because we have a daughter," Letshego said.
She said she would take a South African flag with her up the mountain and would fly it "proudly in honour of Gugu" once she reaches the peak
"I will carry a flag. But most importantly, I will carry his spirit with me and we will conquer."