Five Cape Town adventurers conquer Mount Kilimanjaro after eight days of trekking

Five adventurers from Strandfontein and Pelican Park successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, after eight gruelling days of trekking.

The group of hiking enthusiasts included Strandfontein couple Stephanie Singh, 55, and Vernon Singh, 55, fellow Strandfontein resident Wendy Brockman, 59, and Pelican Park residents Helene Martin and Andre Kleinschmidt.

Together, they formed a small team that set out to conquer the 5 895-metre giant in Tanzania. It was on Friday, July 18, when the group stood at Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, after eight grueling days of climbing the mountain.

For Stephanie and Vernon, who have lived in Strandfontein for 35 years, the climb was a dream years in the making. 

“We had about four meetings before we left, researching and preparing for the hike,” said Stephanie. “I was doubtful because I’m anaemic, so I had to work closely with my doctor to get my blood counts right. But my husband kept us all motivated—he’s a gym guy and made sure we ate properly and trained for it,” she told the Plainsman on Tuesday, August 26.

Vernon, a retired Navy and police warrant officer, became the group’s motivator on the mountain.

“Normally, hikers walk in silence, but Kilimanjaro is different—it’s uphill all the way. I kept the morale high by singing old sports chants and even doing mock interviews to keep everyone laughing. One team, one dream—that was our spirit.”

The mountain, however, tested them from the start. Thin air, steep terrain, and altitude sickness hit the group hard. 

“At times it felt like someone was standing on my chest,” said Stephanie. “I was nauseous, light-headed, and at one point I just wanted to give up. But Vernon told me, ‘We came together, and we’re going to leave together,’ and that kept me going.”

The group also witnessed the dangers of the climb firsthand. Several climbers from other expeditions collapsed from oxygen deprivation and had to be rushed down the mountain by guides. Vomiting, nosebleeds, and disorientation were constant battles, said Stephanie. 

“Every day, helicopters were flying up to rescue people, but often they couldn’t land. That was a wake-up call for all of us,” Stephanie said.

Despite the challenges, there were unforgettable moments. Helena described watching the porters carry their heavy loads up the mountain. “The way they managed with those weights and their facial expressions, it was incredible,” she said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”

For Wendy, the most emotional moment came at Stella Point, the milestone summit before Uhuru Peak. “Climbing through the night and finally seeing Stella Point in front of me was overwhelming. I was very emotional—it felt like all the hard work had paid off. That moment will always stay with me,” she said.

After pushing past exhaustion, icy winds, and blinding glaciers, the group reached Uhuru Peak at 7.30 AM. “It was emotional, spiritual, overwhelming,” said Vernon. “Standing there, you realise how short life is, and how grateful you must be for everything, even flushing toilets.”

Stephanie, who at one point swore she would “never again” attempt such a climb, admits the experience left a deep mark. “When you love the outdoors, it’s always in you. For now, we’ll stick to camping—but Kilimanjaro will always be part of our story.” She said they are even looking to climb Mount Everest next year.

For the five hikers, summiting Africa’s tallest mountain was not just about reaching the top, it was about resilience, unity, and discovering the strength they never knew they had.