Farrarmere author, philanthropist and motivational speaker Nolan Pillay says summiting Mount Kilimanjaro is about far more than conquering Africa’s highest mountain.

For Pillay, it is an opportunity to raise awareness, support vulnerable communities and inspire others to become the best version of themselves.

He recently completed the 2026 Kilimanjaro fundraising expedition alongside his son, Tremayne and another father-and-son team of Vijen and Avi Nadasan, raising R15 000 each for Alberton-based organisation, Blind South Africa, and Nurturing Minds, an organisation supporting children with autism in Durban.

The expedition forms part of the work of the Be The Best Version of Yourself Foundation, which Pillay founded in 2019 with a mission to make a meaningful impact on humanity.

This year’s beneficiaries reflect the foundation’s commitment to supporting organisations serving differently-abled communities.

“It’s about service to humanity,” Pillay said, explaining the motivation behind his charitable work.

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His journey began with an upbringing marked by extreme poverty in Pietermaritzburg, where he recalls selling Indian delicacies as a 10-year-old to help his family afford food.

Those experiences shaped his belief in giving back, a value he and his family had already practised through feeding schemes before the foundation was formally established.

His foundation’s fundraising climbs began in 2019, initially supporting girls in rural areas with access to sanitary products. Following a connection with the deaf community, Pillay expanded the initiative to support deaf individuals, eventually completing the climb in 2022 after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the original plans.

That expedition helped provide hearing aids for five children. In 2024, the fundraising focus shifted to cancer and mental wellness, with two local non-profit organisations benefiting from the initiative.

Pillay said the decision to climb Kilimanjaro was also intended to attract corporate sponsorship and demonstrate what could be achieved through a demanding, purpose-driven challenge.

However, securing sufficient funding for the 2026 expedition proved difficult, requiring the team to contribute from their personal savings. The full climbing package cost approximately R90 000 per person, including flights, accommodation, park fees and expedition expenses.

Beyond the climbs, Pillay is working towards establishing a skills village as part of Project One Million, an initiative aimed at impacting one million young people across Africa.

The proposed village would offer training in fields such as information technology, electrical work and mechanics, supported by a 12-week personal development programme focused on mindset, confidence and career choices.

“We want to get them in the right state of mind so that they can become work-ready, more confident and more resilient,” said Pillay.

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