Vilane 'on top of the world'

2003-06-05 15:14

Cape Town - Game ranger Sibusiso Vilane recounted on Thursday how he wept when he reached the top of Mount Everest last week to become the first black man to conquer the world's highest peak.

"I dropped to my knees and thanked the Lord for taking me to the top of the mountain. Then I wept. Then I stood up and smiled...I was grateful there was an African standing on top of the world."

Speaking at an environmental affairs media briefing at parliament, Vilane told journalists about his experience and how it felt to be the first black South African to reach the top of the 8 848m Himalayan peak.

The climb, last Monday, had made him gasp for breath, but he had expected it to be much harder than it actually was.

Vilane said thorough preparation, including a week in Scotland practising snow and ice climbing techniques, together with good equipment and clothing, had stood him in good stead.

He had used oxygen during the ascent and was fortunate that the on day he summitted the weather was clear.

"I could see a long way...I had a beautiful view of the world."

He had not remained on top for long before turning and finding his way back down to camp.

Vilane arrived back in South Africa earlier on Thursday, and with his wife and child flew directly to Cape Town for the media briefing, held ahead of Environmental Affairs Minister Valli Moosa's budget vote debate in the National Assembly.

He sat at the briefing with a South African flag draped around his neck, but not the one he took with him out of the country several weeks ago.

That flag, Vilane said, he planted on top of the world, alongside the Tibetan prayer flags already flying there.

Moosa told journalists at the briefing that Vilane's achievement had "brought a tremendous amount of pride and joy to South Africa".

Vilane, an Mpumalanga game ranger, is expected to be present in the House later in the day when Moosa delivers his speech.

- SAPA