‘Gugu Zulu oozed positive energy’ – Bedfordview couple
"He was like a brother to me."
The Bedfordview husband and wife team that climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Caring4Girls has paid tribute to Mr Gugu Zulu.
Mr Vis and his wife, Advocate Mona, said Mr Zulu was a happy person who oozed positive energy.
“We will always remember him for his funniness. He brought energy to all that he did and was fun to be around,” said Adv Mona.
She said he died in the line of service.
“He was up there for a cause. He died while making a difference in the lives of the less fortunate,” said Adv Naidoo.
Mr Naidoo said leaving Mount Kilimanjaro and heading back to South Africa was bittersweet.
“After climbing the highest mountain in Africa at 5895m above sea level, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world together, we came home with a sense of loss for our dear friend, husband, father, fellow climber, ambassador for Trek4Mandela and Caring4Girls. I knew Gugu for six months since our first Drakensberg Trek4Mandela training session but it felt like we were mates for years. He was like a brother to me and his warmth, gentleness and humility will be forever cherished,” said Mr Naidoo.
He said Mr Zulu was like a brother to him.
“I always joked that he was my favourite Zulu. He was a king of selfies who never wavered from his humility. We loved Gugu and we will miss him dearly,” said Mr Naidoo.
Mr Zulu died on Monday, July 18, after experiencing flu-like symptoms.
At the time of going to press, officials were still working to bring his body home.
He was married with a one-year-old daughter.
