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New high for mountaineer
07/12/2006 11:59 - (SA)
Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane
White River - The first black man to climb the world's highest mountain, Mt Everest, will be honoured by Mpumalanga Premier Thabang Makwetla on Thursday.
Sibusiso Vilane, 36, who lives in Schoemansdal near the northern border of Swaziland received the Order of the Ikhamanga from the president's office in September.
Provincial spokesperson George Taiwe said on Wednesday: "Vilane has done us proud. He is one of only two people to receive the Order of the Ikhamanga in the province."
The Order of the Ikhamanga recognises excellence in arts, culture, music, literature and sport.
Ikhamanga is a Xhosa word for an indigenous plant called the strelitzia.
Taiwe said Vilane had achieved in a short space of time what most people would fail to achieve in a lifetime.
Vilane first climbed Africa's tallest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania in 1999
He then climbed Everest in May 2003, becoming the only black person on earth to conquer the daunting mountain, which has claimed the lives of many mountaineers.
Artist also got award
President Thabo Mbeki handed him the silver order in front of international guests at the Union Buildings.
Vilane is not the only resident of Mpumalanga who received the Order of the Ikhamanga in September.
World-renowned Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu, 71, of Weltevrede in KwaMhlanga received a bronze order.
She also will be honoured by Premier Makwetla on Thursday.
"Esther is indeed a treasure to our province," said Taiwe.
- African Eye
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