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Everest climb not very difficult: First black African summiteer
Durban, June 06: The first black African to climb Mount Everest has said he did not `experience the highest degree of difficulty` in ascending the mountain.
Durban, June 06: The first black African to climb Mount Everest has said he did not "experience the highest degree of difficulty" in ascending the mountain.
Addressing an official ceremony to welcome him in Durban Sibusiso Vilane (32) said: "I really didn't experience the highest degree of difficulty that some climbers experience. I really had ease of movement on the mountain because I sometimes stopped and looked around at the views. So that really kept me going".
Vilane, who arrived in the country early yesterday, ascended Mount Everest with a number of European climbers on the 50th anniversary of the first climb by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and was speaking at a media briefing and reception held by the minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Mahomed Valli Moosa.
Addressing the media, Moosa said Vilane was an "African hero" who has brought tremendous goodwill to the country.
"South Africans in all walks of life have very high standards for themselves and have adopted an attitude that there is very little to stop us as a nation and as a people, and I keep thinking this tremendous feat on your part captured that spirit very nicely indeed", said Moosa.
Vilane also said he hoped that others would follow in his footsteps.
He was accompanied by his wife, Nomsa, and their two-year-old son.
Bureau Report
Vilane, who arrived in the country early yesterday, ascended Mount Everest with a number of European climbers on the 50th anniversary of the first climb by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, and was speaking at a media briefing and reception held by the minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Mahomed Valli Moosa.
Addressing the media, Moosa said Vilane was an "African hero" who has brought tremendous goodwill to the country.
"South Africans in all walks of life have very high standards for themselves and have adopted an attitude that there is very little to stop us as a nation and as a people, and I keep thinking this tremendous feat on your part captured that spirit very nicely indeed", said Moosa.
Vilane also said he hoped that others would follow in his footsteps.
He was accompanied by his wife, Nomsa, and their two-year-old son.
Bureau Report