Wife scatters ashes on top of Kilimanjaro

HAZYVIEW – Natasha Bezuidenhout, widow of Jeane Bezuidenhout, summited Mt Kilimanjaro on Monday March 3 to scatter her husband’s ashes. Facing extreme weather conditions she reached the peak at 06:30 East Africa time after hiking for five days on the Machame route.

Throughout her personal journey Natasha kept in contact with Lowvelder’s sister newspaper Hazyview Herald, relating her daily experiences of the mountain she wanted to conquer.

She lives in Hazyview with her daughter Kaylee (5) and son, and Ethan (4). Her husband died tragically of a heart attack six months ago while they were on holiday in Bilene, Mozambique. Jeane, owner of Dallas Eggs, was a well-known and much-loved figure throughout the Lowveld.

Natasha’s sister, Bianca Pretorius, informed the newspaper of the decision to climb the mountain. She agreed to let the newspaper follow her progress on what could be described as a last farewell to her husband.

The journey started with a flight to Nairobi, Tanzania on February 25. Kurt Schultz, a family friend who had previously climbed Kili, accompanied her for moral support. At 5 895 metres this snow-capped mountain is Africa’s highest peak and creates its own weather which is extremely variable and unpredictable.

The first message was received on the morning of February 26, confirming that she had started her hike.

The weather started deteriorating from the third day with temperatures plummeting. Natasha remained positive even after taking a fall. She sent a photo of Schultz and herself, in which they still managed to smile in the bitterly cold conditions. They had by then climbed past Shira and Barraca camps and were on their way to Karanga.

In her next message on March 1 she mentioned that she was struggling with her knees but was positive that after a night’s rest she would head to Base Camp, the last one before climbers start the long walk to the summit.

On the day of the summit hike, Natasha mentioned that conditions were becoming extreme and that it was freezing cold. Later that day (Monday) she successfully reached the highest point, Uhuru Peak. Hazyview Herald received a message at about 16:30 (our time) that she was at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. She added, “My love to all who have supported me and followed my journey. God is good.” Tanzania

is approximately

10 hours behind South African time.

Shortly thereafter she started her journey back down the mountain which took two days to complete. She flew back to South Africa on Wednesday March 5 and arrived at Oliver Tambo at 20:00. She and Schultz spent the night at her brother, Izak Breydendach, in Boksburg before returning home on Thursday.

Readers participated in her journey by regularly posting words of support and encouragement on Hazyview Herald’s webpage.

Marinda Louw posted, “You are doing a wonderful thing. God will give you the strength to get to the top.” Annatjie Conradie commented, “Your husband would have been proud of you,” and Elize le Roux, “I admire your courage. We are all so proud of you. You are an example to us all.”

Hazyview Herald is constantly keeping communication with Natasha via WhatsApp about the progress of her climb on

Mt Kilimanjaro.

February 26

I started my climb yesterday morning at 10:00.

Message: February 27

Today we reached camp 2, which is where the base camp is situated 3 900m above sea level. I am still strong but it is bitterly cold. Tomorrow I will be hiking to Barraco Camp.

February 28

About to leave for camp 3 – Barraco Camp 08:24. Had a freezing night – the tent was frozen. However, I am still up for the challenge.

March 1

We are at camp 4, rest. Tomorrow early to base 12, then sleep till 22:00 and start summit at 23:00 to reach summit on the third by sunrise, too much mist and wind now.

At camp 4. Very cold. I am fine. Fell on my bum but okay. Struggling on the downhills with my knees. Uphill is fine. I am strong and still positive.

March 3

We will summit at 6.30. Bitterly cold and extreme weather conditions. God is good. My love to all who have supported me and followed my journey.

March 4

“I am very proud of my sister. I take my hat off to her. That is something I could never do.”- Bianca Pretorius.

March 4

We are now back in Moishi. It was great. It was tough, but it was amazing.

March 5

We are in Nairobi. Our flight has been delayed. We will only arrive back in South Africa at 20:00 at OR Tambo. I am very well but exhausted.

March 6

We landed at approximately 20:30 at

OR Tambo International Airport. We stayed over in Boksburg at my brother’s place and will travel back to the Lowveld shortly.