Thuli to brave Kilimanjaro for charity
Thuli Tabudi said she had been long postponing this hike but is glad she will soon tick this off on her bucket list.
FULFILLING a lifelong dream as well as raising funds for charity, Thuli Tabudi, group HR Executive of Spar Group Ltd, South Africa, said she could not be more proud of herself. She will climb Mount Kilimanjaro starting from Friday, 17 June, and will also be fundraising for Ethelbert Child and Youth Care Centre.
Tabudi said she had been long postponing this hike but is glad she will soon tick this off her bucket list. “I am so happy – I’ve been postponing it for some time and late last year I decided that 2016 is the year. So I’m excited and a bit nervous at the same time,” she said. She said daring to push her own limits inspired her to climb the highest mountain on the continent. “It’s been about pushing myself and stepping out of the comfort zone. Kili for me is a good example of life in general – undertaking a journey, knowing full well that it’s not going to be easy. So it is a challenge I’ve given myself to test my perseverance and endurance and at the same time, celebrate life.”
She has approached corporates with whom she has dealings, friends and family to donate to a cause she deems worthy. “It is close to my heart. I am hoping that I can use
a personal journey to raise the much-needed funds for Ethelbert. I also know how hard it is for them to get funds as there are no guarantees that corporates would fund them year-on-year.”In preparation for the climb, Tabudi has had to make lifestyle changes which include following a strict training routine and getting used to high altitudes. “This has entailed sometimes working out at gym twice a day or once at gym and road running in the evening. In addition to the usual cardio and strength training, I had specific exercises at gym which I needed to follow. I also had to do a lot of hiking which I did locally as well as inland. So I used the Berg a lot to get used to the altitude.”
Tabudi is passionate about children and is always amazed by the love that the children at Ethelbert get. “The dedication of their staff has often had me go back home and re-look at how I treat my own children. They are also a well-run organisation and hence I felt that they deserve to be the beneficiaries of my project. I love children and this was an opportunity to give something to the future leaders of our country.” She added that if she could, she’d raise money for every vulnerable child in the country.
