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Date
: 25/03/2004
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: M van Schalkwyk: Reception of Mount Everest climbers
STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE OF WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN
SCHALKWYK, AT PRESENTING MOUNT EVEREST CLIMBERS WITH TEN YEARS
FLAG, 25 March 2004
CELEBRATING SA FREEDOM ON TOP OF THE WORLD
"The people of the Western Cape are proud to be South African, and
even prouder to celebrate what our country and our people have
achieved in the first Decade of Freedom. In so many ways since
1994, we have climbed our own mountain, and having reached the
summit, we must share our excitement with the world." These were
the words of Western Cape Premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk,
addressing members of the media at an event on Thursday to
officially receive the three climbers from the Western Cape who
will leave in the next ten days to travel to Mount Everest.
"Andre Bredenkamp, Chris Drummond and Mike Nixon are the only
climbers from South Africa to have been granted permits to climb
Mount Everest this year," said the Premier. "I am very proud
therefore to present to them a flag to carry on their journey -
bearing the symbol of our celebrations of the first Decade of
Freedom."
The three follow in the footsteps of explorers like Edmund Hillary
and Tenzing Norgay who were the first recorded climbers to reach
the summit in May 1953. Since that time about 1200 people have
successfully reached the top of the world's highest mountain -
although nearly 200 have died on its slopes.
"South Africa last year saluted Sibusiso Vilane and Sean Wisedale,
who together with Cathy O'Dowd and Bruce Herod (who climbed in
1996), are the only South Africans ever to have reached the
summit," said the Premier. "Today we entrust to the care of these
three Capetonians the hopes and best wishes of all our
people."
The trio have chosen the less travelled North Face route, starting
in Tibet - both because it is more remote and more challenging.
They will be part of an international team of ten climbers lead by
American, Dan Mazur. They will spend over six weeks on the slopes
of the mountain to prepare for the climb, and will make their bid
for the summit in late May. All three climbers recently climbed
another two of the world's highest peaks - Aconcagua (South
America's highest) and Mount Elbrus (the highest peak in
Europe).
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp
Cell: 083 778 9923
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial
Government
25 March 2004
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