Everest Conquerer Dedicates South Pole Trek to South African Children

Our South African Lifeline Energy Ambassador, Sibusiso Vilane, made history in January 2008 by becoming the first black African to reach the South Pole. Sibu made history earlier when he became the first black African to climb Mount Everest in 2003 and again in 2005. 

Sibu dedicated every one of the 1,113 kilometres he trekked in some of the worst conditions imaginable to the children of South Africa.  As a result of this generous act and hundreds of sponsors supporting Sibu, in May 2008 we were able to donate 300 Lifeline radios to children from the Nkomazi district, where Sibu was born. Nkomazi lies on the border with Swaziland and most children are Swazi speaking.  The children either head households or live with their grandmothers. 

All of the children are involved in an after-school programme, Kidz Klubz, which is run by a South African NGO, Thembalethu Home Based Care (THBC).  THBC sponsors a variety of programmes to support vulnerable children and households. The HIV/AIDS  prevalence in this area is estimated to be 45%  and poverty levels are high, with 65-70% of the community unemployed.

The children bustled with excitement as Sibu addressed them in Swazi and told them of his humble beginnings in Schoemansdal and in Swaziland where he grew up.They cheered as he encouraged them to finish their education, to believe in themselves and to aim high in life. He then joined Lifeline Energy staff to help train the children in the use and care of the radios during the distribution session.  The radios bring much needed information and education and will reach up to 6,000 listeners who would otherwise not have radio access.  

Sibu with Lifeline radio recipient and listening group leader, Hypecia		Sibusiso Vilane, Lifeline Energy's South African Ambassador

 

We are grateful for Sibusiso Vilane's service as the Lifeline Energy's South African Ambassador, joining Tom Hanks and Terry Waite who serve as our US and UK Ambassadors, respectively.