Messages of congratulations were pouring in from all over the world for business executive Saray N’kusi Khumalo who on Thursday became the first black African woman to scale and reach the top of Mount Everest.
At 8 840 meters above sea level, Mount Everest in the Himalayas in Nepal is the highest and most prominent mountain on earth based on measurement to sea level.
Almost 300 people have died trying to climb the berg.
Born in Zambia, but now living in South Africa, Khumalo achieved her goal of becoming the first black woman from Africa to summit Mount Everest after four attempts.
On social media, Khumalo was trending at number one with congratulatory messages streaming in from many prominent and ordinary individuals.
Khumalo had to be rescued from Mount Everest by helicopter during her previous attempt to summit in 2017 after she was injured during inclement weather.
After being on Everest during both the Serac fall in 2014 and the earthquake in 2015, she reached the south summit in 2017.
Through pure perseverance, grit and courage she decided to return to Mount Everest in 2019. During this expedition, she supported the Dr. Thandi Ndlovu Foundation.
In 2012, Khumalo summitted Kili and in the process raised funds for the Lunchbox Fund.
Her mountaineering passion took hold and she embarked on a journey to climb the highest peak on each continent, not for herself, but for the education of African children. She summitted Mt. Elbrus in 2014 and Mt. Aconcagua the next year.
Khumalo became a Nelson Mandela Libraries ambassador and raised nearly R1 million.