Gugu Zulu dies GONE TOO SOON . . . Top South African motor racing driver Gugu Zulu (right) shares some lighter moments with former Zimbabwean motor rally driver Robson Maganezi in May 2004. Zulu died yesterday morning while trying to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
GONE TOO SOON . . . Top South African motor racing driver Gugu Zulu (right) shares some lighter moments with former Zimbabwean motor rally driver Robson Maganezi in May 2004. Zulu died yesterday morning while trying to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

GONE TOO SOON . . . Top South African motor racing driver Gugu Zulu (right) shares some lighter moments with former Zimbabwean motor rally driver Robson Maganezi in May 2004. Zulu died yesterday morning while trying to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania

JOHANNESBURG. — A popular South African motor racing driver Gugu Zulu died early yesterday while trying to reach the summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro for a charity linked to Nelson Mandela, the charity said.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation confirmed that Zulu died while attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Zulu (38) was part of a group of people, including his wife, Letshego Zulu, who were part of the Trek4Mandela expedition.

In a statement released yesterday, the Nelson Mandela Foundation announced that Gugu Zulu died early yesterday morning while trying to reach the summit of the mountain.

“Details are sketchy. What we do know is that Gugu experienced problems breathing. The medical team supporting the trek put him on a drip and they descended the mountain with him. We are informed that the medical teams tried everything possible to save his life,” the foundation said.

Gugu Zulu and his wife apparently both descended the mountain together with Richard Mabaso, the project leader and the medical teams. The team was led by experienced mountaineer Sibusiso Vilane.

Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, said: “I am devastated. I knew him well. I recruited him to climb Kilimanjaro. The last thing he said to me at the airport before he left last week was that he wanted to speak about doing other Mandela Day projects. I feel a huge sense of loss.”

Gugu Zulu is a celebrated and well-established racing driver for Volkswagen. He leaves behind his wife and baby girl who turned one in June.

The climbers were due to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro yesterday, for Mandela Day. This year’s Trek4Mandela expedition aimed to raise enough funds to ensure that 350 000 girl children would not miss a day of school due to menstrual challenges.

Just two days before his death, Gugu Zulu posted several images of himself and his wife on their trip.

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma paid tribute to Gugu Zulu.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic and painful incident which has taken place on a day on which we should be rejoicing and celebrating Madiba’s legacy,” said Zuma, referring to Mandela by his clan name.

In an update posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, Gugu Zulu complained that he was having flu-like symptoms “and struggling with the mountain but taking it step by step!!”

Sello Hatang, the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation who had recruited Gugu Zulu to climb Africa’s highest mountain, said was “devastated” at the news of the death.

Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Fikile Mbalula, has expressed his shock and sadness at the passing of Gugu Zulu. — AFP.

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