Everest expedition to raise awareness for South Africa’s plight against GBV
Angela Yeung is preparing to climb Mount Everest, collecting 8 849 bras to raise awareness for gender-based violence and support the Impilo Collection Foundation’s mission.
The Impilo Collection Foundation, founded by Angela Yeung in Illovo, is committed to improving the lives of underserved communities by advocating for dignity, equity, and well-being.
With a vision to uplift one million people by 2035, the foundation runs transformative programmes such as EmpowerHer, EmpowerHim, and EmpowerThem, addressing systemic issues, and creating opportunities for those in need.
On March 18, Yeung, an experienced mountaineer, hosted an event to talk about taking on a monumental challenge to raise awareness for gender-based violence (GBV) and support the foundation’s mission.
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She is set to climb Mount Everest, where she plans to unfurl not just a South African flag, but also a bra one, made of 8 849 bras she aims to collect, symbolising each metre of Everest’s height.
Yeung said, each bra represents solidarity with GBV survivors in South Africa’s impoverished areas, reminding them that they are seen, valued, and deserving of dignity.
Yeung’s climbing achievements are impressive. “I have summited peaks like Island Peak (6 165m) in support of the EmpowerHer campaign, and became the first South African to reach the true summit of Mount Manaslu (8 163m).”
Despite setbacks, including a foot injury during the Manaslu descent, her resolve remains unshaken. “My journey is one of resilience. I was born in Hong Kong, and have faced personal hardships, including the early abandonment of my mother.”
She added that she has found a deep connection to South Africa, which she now calls home. “Through my mountaineering expeditions, I channel my strength to support those facing unimaginable struggles, particularly survivors of GBV.”
How to get involved:
Corporates and individuals are invited to show their support in a number of ways. These include:
- Donate bras: Donate new or gently used bras at designated collection points, which can be found on the Impilo Collection Foundation’s website: www.impilofoundation.org.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsor metres of Angela’s climb, or organise your own bra collection drives.
- Volunteer: Join as a social warrior to assist with fundraising and campaign events.
- Follow the journey: Stay updated on Angela’s progress through live updates on the foundation’s social media platform: Instagram – @Impilo_foundation
Information provided by Clinton van der Berg.
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