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.

Sibusiso dedicated 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 Lifeline Energy was able to provide 300 Lifeline radios to children from the Nkomazi district, where Sibu was born.

Sibusiso has served as Lifeline Energy’s South African Ambassador since 2006.

"The future entirely depends on the education of children, their access to information to broaden their thinking and understanding of the ever-changing and challenging world" says Sibu.

Sibusiso started climbing in 1996 while also serving as a game ranger in Swaziland. In March of 2003, Sibu set off for the Himalayas in his quest to be the first black African to summit earth’s largest and most fearsome mountain– Everest. He successfully summitted Everest May 26, 2003 and again triumphed June 3, 2005, becoming the first South African to summit Everest twice in two attempts, using two different routes.

Sibusiso continues to speak all over South Africa, encouraging all people to attempt their own Everest, touching people everywhere with his warmth and humility.His passion is to talk to as many children as possible, in as many schools as possible. He tells them not only to dream, but to never give up on their dreams -- believe in them and go for them wholeheartedly.