Five adventurers from Strandfontein and Pelican Park have successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, after eight gruelling days of trekking through thin air, steep terrain, and icy winds.
Image of Mount Kilimanjaro used for illustrative purposes/RVBS/Wikimedia Commons
The hiking team included Strandfontein couple Stephanie and Vernon Singh (both 55), fellow Strandfontein resident Wendy Brockman (59), and Pelican Park residents Helene Martin and Andre Kleinschmidt, as reported by Southern Mail.
On Friday, July 18, they stood together at Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres above sea level, marking the culmination of a dream years in the making.
For Stephanie, the climb was especially personal. Living with anaemia, she worked closely with her doctor to prepare for the challenge. “At times it felt like someone was standing on my chest,” she recalled.
“I was nauseous, light-headed, and at one point I wanted to give up. But Vernon reminded me, ‘We came together, and we’ll leave together,’ and that kept me going.”
Vernon, a retired Navy and police warrant officer, became the group’s motivator on the mountain. “Normally hikers walk in silence, but Kilimanjaro is different—it’s uphill all the way. I kept morale high by singing old sports chants and even doing mock interviews. Our motto was simple: one team, one dream.”
The mountain, however, offered harsh reminders of its dangers. Several climbers from other groups collapsed from oxygen deprivation and had to be rushed down by guides.
“Every day helicopters were flying up to rescue people, but often they couldn’t land. That was a wake-up call for all of us,” said Stephanie.
Despite the hardships, there were unforgettable moments. Helena spoke of watching porters carry heavy loads with remarkable resilience: “The way they managed, their expressions—it’s something I’ll never forget.”
For Wendy, reaching Stella Point, the milestone before the summit, was her most emotional moment. “Climbing through the night and finally seeing Stella Point ahead of me was overwhelming. It felt like all the hard work had paid off.”
At 7:30 a.m. on summit day, the team finally reached Uhuru Peak. “It was emotional, spiritual, overwhelming,” said Vernon. “Standing there, you realise how short life is, and how grateful you must be for everything—even flushing toilets.”
Although Stephanie once swore she would “never again” attempt such a climb, the achievement has left a lasting mark. “When you love the outdoors, it’s always in you. For now, we’ll stick to camping—but Kilimanjaro will always be part of our story.” The group has even set their sights on Everest Base Camp as their next adventure.
For these five Cape Town hikers, the journey was more than just reaching the top—it was a lesson in resilience, unity, and discovering strength they never knew they had.
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