Encouragement, lessons, and gratitude filled Nelson Mandela Foundation’s theatre room on November 15, as the 2025 Trek4Mandela participants shared their stories of summiting the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Trek4Mandela is an annual expedition that falls under the NPO, The Imbumba Foundation, founded by innovative social entrepreneur Richard Mabaso in 2010.

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Imbumba is a ‘bean seed’ and symbolises eternity and the unending cycle of life.

The annual expedition to summit Africa’s highest peak takes place on Mandela Day and Women’s Day to honour Nelson Mandela’s living legacy that not only inspires Africans but also across the globe

The Caring4Girls Programme, which also works with Trek4Mandela, was founded in response to the harsh reality that millions of girls in South Africa miss a significant number of school days and others drop out completely, due to lack of access to adequate sanitary protection and corresponding reproductive health education.

The programme aims to alleviate period poverty, instil dignity and keep girl children in school.

Ntando Ngubane, a 2025 climber, said that her Trek4Mandela journey began in 2021.

“The seed to take part in Trek4Mandela was planted in 2021 when I nearly lost my life. When I was on my deathbed, I realised that life was short and part of the list of goals I wanted to achieve was summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.”

Ngubane added that although life was short and we had to chase our dreams, we also had the duty to enable others around us to dream and follow their dreams.

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“That’s why Trek4Mandela and Caring4Girls resonated with me because it’s about enabling young girls to stay in school and dream.”

Kwakwas Makwakwa, an 18-year-old and the youngest Trek4Mandela participant, said that although he was hesitant to participate, he is glad he did it.

“The first day tested me; it was muddy, and we were surrounded by insects that crawled into our boots, but we kept moving. We were led by Simba, who kept me motivated when I was nervous and uncertain of the routes.”

Tshegofatso Kgoete, a learner from Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School and Caring4Girls beneficiary, expressed her gratitude to Imbumba Foundation.

“Your contribution is not only through pads, but an investment towards our confidence, security and equality. Having access to pads as a young girl not only means she can stand tall, but also radiates resilience and possesses unstoppable potential.”

People who are interested in forming part of the Trek4Mandela 2026 cohort can contact c: +27 (0)67 722 4147 or E: [email protected].

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