Everest 'first' for SA ranger

2003-05-26 09:22

Johannesburg - South African game ranger Sibusiso Vilane became the first black person to summit Mount Everest when he reached the top of the world's highest mountain early on Monday, SABC radio news reported.

Swazi-born Vilane, 32, was climbing with an international team.

It was not immediately clear if he had managed to plant a South African flag - given to him by environmental affairs and tourism minister Valli Moosa on his departure from South Africa - on the peak.

He told the SABC on Monday that he climbed the mountain "for black people and for Africa".

Last week, the six-member South African Discovery team abandoned their mission to reach the summit after two assaults were foiled by bad weather.

- SAPA