Saray Khumalo and Sibusiso Vilane safe following avalanche

Saray Khumalo and Sibusiso Vilane safe following avalanche

A decision about the continuation of the expedition is expected this afternoon

24 April 2014

Discovery Vitality’s Divisional Manager, Saray Khumalo, and renowned South African mountaineer, Sibusiso Vilane are both safe following last Friday’s avalanche which occurred off the West Shoulder of Mount Everest. The avalanche, which is said to have claimed the lives of 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides who were transporting climbers’ gear from the Mount Everest Base Camp to Camp 11 and preparing to break tracks on the route to the top of Mount Everest, is to date, the mountain’s most fatal avalanche.

Avalanches are the leading cause of deaths during Mount Everest expeditions and many Sherpas are affected by these avalanches as they work to affix ropes along the routes and ensure that the routes are secure for mountaineers attempting to summit Everest.

“This is a very unfortunate incident, particularly as the Mount Everest climbing season has just started. We send our deepest condolences to the families of the Sherpas who lost their lives in the avalanche. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” says Liziwe Masoga, Head: Discovery People Operations.

Saray, who is posting updates of the expedition as they make progress, reports that the avalanche’s high death toll has struck a deep chord within her team, especially among their Sherpa guides who are accompanying them on their expedition. “My heart goes out to the families and friends of all those who lost their lives in the Khumbu today,” Saray writes. “I am especially touched by the Sherpas who are the unsung heroes of Everest expeditions.”

Despite the uncertainty of whether Saray and Sibusiso will continue with their expedition to conquer Mount Everest, and raise funds for charity, Masoga encourages people to continue to support their campaign to make a difference to the lives of young South Africans by donating funds to The Lunchbox Fund. Masoga says, “It is through campaigns such as this that lives can be changed for the better, and where you can help to make a difference.”

Funds can be donated to The Lunchbox Fund through the following two links:

·   https://lovetodogood.org.za/campaign/ubuntu-everest

·  http://www.thelunchboxfund.org/donate.html (use the following reference Ubuntu-your name e.g. Ubuntu-Saraykhumalo)

Donors can donate funds in the following ways:

·  Feed a child for a month with a R50 contribution,

·  Feed a child for six months with a R250 contribution, and

·  Feed a child for a year with a R500 contribution.

For Discovery related enquiries please contact:

Thulaganyo Khensani Mthombeni

Reputation Management Consultant

Tel: +27 (0) 11 529 0091

Mobile: +27 (0) 71 886 9188

E-mail: Khensanimth@discovery.co.za