Former Witpoortjie woman climbs Kilimanjaro to raise awareness
Elsabé stated that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a spur-of-the-moment decision
In an attempt to raise awareness and keeping the hope alive for the tourism industry during the trying times amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a 51-year-old woman decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, with only a guide and a few porters as company.
Elsabé Nel, who has been a Roodepoort resident for 20 years before moving to Cape Town and becoming a trainer in the hospitality industry in Tanzania, described herself as someone who has Africa coursing through her veins.
“My brother, Christo Pieterse, introduced me to Africa. He has been the owner of a mobile safari company for the past 25 years, and I accompanied him as a bush chef to countries like Botswana, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania,” she explained.
Elsabé added that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was a spur-of-the-moment decision, and said, “My son and I have been planning to climb the mountain for some time, but then corona happened and caused a global collapse.
Tourism in Tanzania was hit hard with lodges closing, people losing their jobs and, before I knew it, my own country was placed on lockdown and I could not return to my family. I collaborated with Tanzania National Parks (TANPA) to bring the mountain to the world by documenting it on social media.
I had a host of sponsors for my clothing, gear and all other necessities, and I paid for my guide and porters.”
She said knowing what she knows now, she would never have picked this time to take on the challenging expedition, seeing that it was the start of the rainy season. But, she said, “Corona happened now. Lockdown of the tourism industry happened now. This meant there was no better time to do it.”
WATCH VIDEO HERE:
Elsabé was the only woman in a team of six, and even though it rained every day of the seven days they climbed the Machame route, she said it was a great experience.
“I decided to approach the climb in a unique manner, and instead of eating on my own (as guests normally do) I had all my meals with my team, and it was a great bonding experience.
The magnitude of being the only woman on Kili and being part of such an amazing team was humbling,” said Elsabé.
Even though it was wet, cold and slippery most of the time with some snow, she believes that it was the best circumstances to get her message of hope and courage out.
“I wanted to let people know that even if we do it slowly, and one step at a time, everyone will get out again eventually and achieve their goals.”
She concluded by saying that despite the difficulties, challenges and times she wanted to quit, there were no low points on this expedition. Her whole climb was a highlight and she would definitely want to do it again, even if it is only for the views.
