Veenay Mungal will attempt a Guinness World Record by recording the highest podcast while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the Society for Animals in Distress (SAID). 

The 49-year-old from Johannesburg will join the organisation’s ‘Driving Compassion’ expedition in July, and the money raised will be used to purchase a new vehicle for its veterinary services. 

Mungal is no stranger to community work. 

He is the secretary of the Gauteng branch of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and runs a men’s cooking group that does a food drive once a month in Midrand. 
 

For him, the expedition is about ‘adding value and making a difference’.  

He says seeing animals suffer because help cannot reach them is something he cannot bear. 

Animal welfare 

“Animals are hurt and killed along our highways every day. Seeing working animals injured or sick and knowing a simple intervention could change everything shifted my perspective. It made me realise how closely animal welfare is tied to dignity,” he says. 

That realisation led him to become involved with SAID. 

“They don’t just talk about compassion, they deliver it daily, often in difficult environments with limited resources,” he says. 

SAID teams operate in underserved communities, treating pets and working animals essential to families’ livelihoods. 

“They provide veterinary care to animals whose owners often cannot afford private treatment. The care includes treating injuries, vaccinations, sterilisation programmes and preventative care,” he explains. 

‘Symbolic challenge’ 

Mungal adds that a key part of SAID’s work is its mobile clinic outreach, bringing fully equipped veterinary services to low- and no-income communities. 

He chose Mount Kilimanjaro because of its symbolic challenge. 

“I didn’t want this to be another fundraising ask lost in the noise. It’s hard and uncomfortable. It forces you to confront your limits, much like the realities these animals face,” he says. 

Mungal adds that a reliable vehicle is critical to SAID’s work. 

“It changes everything. Without transport, outreach can’t happen. A new vehicle means reaching more remote areas, responding faster and operating consistently,” he says, adding that a single vehicle can assist between 40 000 and 60 000 animals a year. 

Podcast 

Alongside the climb, Mungal will host a podcast from the mountain to raise global awareness. 

“I saw a group do a podcast in the Drakensberg with a digital partner, and since I work for MTN, the idea came together,” he says. 

The podcast will document the journey and highlight SAID’s work, though he acknowledges the challenges. 

“Everything becomes harder. Breathing, thinking, managing equipment. Cold, wind, low oxygen and connectivity all become real obstacles. I’m looking for a digital partner willing to showcase its devices in this extreme environment while supporting the campaign,” he says. 

Content from the expedition will include a launch event, a post-climb event, behind-the-scenes material and daily social media updates. 

Physical and mental preparation 

In preparation for the climb, Mungal is focusing on both physical and mental conditioning. 

“I’m learning to stay calm under pressure, manage discomfort and remain focused. I also complete major hiking trails monthly, including Klipriviersberg and Suikerbosrand for endurance, Hennops for technical terrain, and the Walter Sisulu trail for recovery,” he says. 

He is also doing breathing exercises to improve lung capacity for high-altitude conditions. 

Mungal expects the final night ascent to be the toughest. 

“Altitude changes rapidly and oxygen drops. It’s estimated that between three and 10 people die on Kilimanjaro each year due to altitude sickness, extreme weather and exhaustion,” he says. 

Even if he does not summit, Mungal says the mission will continue. 

He believes the initiative will resonate with South Africans. “We understand what it means to care for one another, especially in difficult times. That spirit of ubuntu, showing up for others, is how we live,” he says. 

Inspire 

Mungal has dedicated the climb to his late parents – his mother, who died in 2014, and his father, who passed away in 2020 due to Covid-19 complications. 

He hopes his story will inspire others to become involved in community service. 

“Ordinary people can create an extraordinary impact when they commit to a cause,” he adds. 
 

Mungal’s application to attempt the Guinness World Record has been submitted and he should receive a response within six weeks. 

Supporters can follow the expedition and support the organisation via its website and social media. 

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