Nelson Mandela Foundation working to ‘bring Gugu back home’

While plans are in motion to bring racing driver Gugu Zulu’s body back home‚ the travel arrangements for those who were trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro with him have been confirmed.

Zulu’s fellow climbers will return to South Africa on Wednesday evening‚ the Nelson Mandela Foundation said in a statement on Tuesday.

Zulu died on Monday after experiencing breathing problems while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

He and his wife Letshego were on the Trek4Mandela expedition‚ arranged to create awareness about the challenges facing poor rural girls during their menstrual cycles and raise funds for sanitary towels.

The foundation said all trekkers returning from the summit were safe and due back down from the mountain on Tuesday afternoon. They will arrive back on South African soil on Wednesday at 6.15pm. It is not clear if Letshego Zulu will return on the same flight.

“All the trekkers ... were informed last night of the passing of Gugu. They were devastated by the news‚” the foundation said.

Among the trekkers are media personality Penny Lebyane‚ cancer survivor Samantha Pillay‚ journalists Omphitlhetse Mooki and OG Molefe‚ managing director of the Banking Association South Africa Cas Coovadia‚ TV personality Cecile Raubenheimer‚ and international humanitarian and activist Gerry Elsdon.

The foundation’s chief executive officer‚ Sello Hatang‚ is currently with Letshego Zulu in Tanzania.

“Hatang is working closely with the Tanzanian authorities‚ the South African High Commissioner in Tanzania‚ Thami Mseleku; Home Affairs in South Africa and the Tanzanian Ambassador to South Africa‚ Radhia Msuya who have all been extremely cooperative and supportive to help bring Gugu back home.

“We are currently awaiting documentation from Tanzanian authorities and South Africa’s Home Affairs before travel arrangements can be made. We are hoping to resolve these issues today before flight details can be confirmed‚” the foundation said.

– TMG Digital