A game ranger leaves Johannesburg on Friday night with the hopes of becoming the first black South African to conquer the world’s highest peak Mount Everest, the environmental affairs and tourism department said in a statement.
Sibusiso Vilane (32) leaves for London where he will meet up with fellow members of his expedition. He will then leave for Scotland to train from March 23 until May 21, before attempting to scale Everest.
Environmental affairs and tourism minister Valli Moosa will be among the well-wishers to send the game ranger off at the Johannesburg International Airport. The minister will also hand a South African flag to Vilane, who hopes to erect it on the summit of the mountain.
Vilane has also climbed Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. – Sapa