South Africans Support and Salute Trek4Mandela’s Leader after Tragedy

South Africans have rallied to support Trek4Mandela team leader Sibusiso Vilane after his emotional address during the press conference at OR Tambo International Airport last night, after returning from Mount Kilimanjaro where SA rally driver Gugu Zulu (38) sadly passed away.

A Facebook post today by local TV presenter Leanne Manas has gone viral after she wrote: “A true leader, an unbelievable person, a broken man. You are a giant @sibusisovilane – never stop what you do, you have been chosen and it’s not you who decides when our time here is up!”

At the press conference last night Vilane sobbed as he expressed his disappointment at not delivering his promise to the families and friends of the 41 climbers that he would bring them all home alive and safe. He said: “I am not proud of myself… I am very sorry, to the Zulu family, relatives, his lovely wife and the baby… I am sorry and to the country.”

Last night his team gave him a standing ovation, and the praise and support from South Africans continued on social media today. Apart from Manas’ comment, here are five others:

Gustav Wilson: “I salute him and feel his pain. His heart is shattered and I respect the sincerest manner in which he expressed his responsibility and accountability. This is what a true leader would do. I am sure wherever Gugu is, he is proud of his leader…”

Buyi Hlabano: “Nothing is as humbling as a man in tears… Sibusiso is a true leader… May God bless his heart and give him and the entire team, family strength through this difficult time. Rest in peace Gugu Zulu, you fought a good fight.”

Moeketsi Mosola: “Taking Full Responsibility For Your Actions. Something Happened Last Night at OR Tambo Airport. The Leader of The Kilimanjaro Expedition… was Genuinely Broken, Sincere, and Totally Inconsolable. He Apologised to His Family and To the Nation.
Here is the Thing: Mr. Vilane is the First African to Summit Mt. Everest, He has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro 19 times. Yet in his comments he kept saying, You have to respect the Mountain. There is something liberating about telling the truth, accepting responsibility, apologising and taking corrective measures. Last night something special happened at OR Tambo. You Mr. Sibusiso Vilane, You Earned my Respect as a Leader. Your brutal Honesty, compassion, and caring had all the Hallmarks of a Great Leader. I Feel your Pain Sir, No one Should Blame you, I have been on that Mountain with my 19 Year Old son in 2011, it also got close, we where Lucky to get back down safe. You and Gugu were not. I honour your Adventure Spirit that has Inspired Me and My family to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro…
You have Set a Great Example For Other Leaders To Follow, True Leaders Take Full Responsibility For Their Actions! Respect and Salute Sir.”

Nkosi Hlo Cofu: “One of the traits of a good leader is that when things go wrong he first does introspection, to say, as a leader what did I do wrong. He is always prepared to take the blame for the collective. I only wish that our politicians were like Vilane.”

https://youtu.be/S6M41TjKWbo

Memorial Service for Gugu Zulu will be next week Tuesday, 26 July @ 11:00 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.