Singer and TV personality Ayanda Mpama has made a bold decision to join the annual Trek4Mandela Kilimanjaro climb initiative in July, which is inspired by her own passion and Gugu Zulu's desire to keep a girl child in school.
The former Our Perfect Wedding presenter told TshisaLIVE she made the decision to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in January this year after she realised she wanted to be "the change she wants to see in the world".
"I decided in January 2017 that I wanted to attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro this year. We have the responsibility to be the change we want to be in the world. I am committed to creating a better world one step at a time," she said.
Ayanda said she's always loved mountains despite the dangers that accompanied mountain climbing.
She added that Gugu Zulu's death inspired her to do whatever she can for a course she believes in.
"I have not necessarily been adventurous but I have always been into the outdoors. I am not scared of what will happen and I'm not scared of the mountain at all. I believe in the girl child and am prepared to do what needs to be done in order to #keepthegirlchildinschool," she said.
The singer said she has always had an obsession with mountains since she was young.
In fact, she spent a lot of time in the Drakensburg, which is her favourite place in the world.
Ayanda compared her current mindset to the youth of 1976, saying they were ready to "accept the consequences of their actions and choices" when they fought for education.
Racing driver Gugu Zulu died in July last year while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Gugu was part of a group of people‚ including his wife‚ Letshego, who were part of the Trek4Mandela expedition. The initiative is aimed at raising funds in support of underprivileged girls.
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