By Johnathan Paoli
Renowned South African mountaineer, entrepreneur and activist Angela Yeung is preparing to undertake a historic expedition to summit Mount Everest’s North Side between April and June this year.
As an ambassador of Brand South Africa and founder of the Impilo Collection Foundation, Yeung is not only seeking personal achievement but also aiming to spotlight the critical issue of gender-based violence (GBV) through her climb.
Her initiative, the EmpowerHer Programme, is an ambitious campaign to collect 8,849 bras, one for every metre of Everest’s elevation. These bras will be distributed to GBV survivors across South Africa, symbolising dignity, empowerment and solidarity.
“Climbing Everest is a monumental challenge, but it pales in comparison to the daily battles faced by survivors of GBV. Each bra we collect symbolises a message of solidarity: You are seen, valued, and deserving of dignity,” she said.
Yeung stressed gender-based violence as a pressing crisis in South Africa, often referred to as the country’s “second pandemic,” with GBV statistics remaining harrowing.
A woman is murdered every four hours, with intimate partner violence being a leading cause.
Over 40% of South African women have experienced some form of violence, whether physical, sexual or emotional during their lifetimes.
Between July and September last year alone, police recorded over 12,000 cases of rape, though experts believe the actual number is much higher due to under-reporting.
Survivors of GBV frequently struggle with a lack of resources, including access to basic necessities such as undergarments.
Through the EmpowerHer Programme, Yeung aims to restore a sense of dignity and normalcy to these women, ensuring that their struggles do not go unnoticed.
Yeung’s Everest ascent follows a remarkable series of mountaineering achievements, each tied to advocacy for social causes.
In November 2022, she reached the summit of Island Peak (6165m) in support of the EmpowerHer campaign, collecting 6,165 bras displayed at Constitution Hill.
September 2023 saw Yeung becoming the first South African to reach the summit of Mount Manaslu (8163m), despite sustaining a foot injury on descent.
In October last year, she conquered Ama Dablam (6812m) in Nepal, reinforcing her dedication to both mountaineering and activism.
Her upcoming Everest expedition, tackling the North Side route which is notorious for its extreme conditions and demanding terrain, will further cement her status as a pioneering figure in both mountaineering and gender advocacy.
“For me, a climb is not just a climb; it is a mirror of the struggles we face as human beings. Like the tenacity needed to climb the North Side ascent of Everest, a route known for its rugged terrain and extreme challenges, our GBV survivors seek out their own courage daily as they fight against their challenges and trauma. The mountain reminds us of this, and the bras will too,” she said.
Yeung described her Everest climb as more than a personal journey, but a call to action for individuals and corporations alike.
She said supporters could contribute by donating bras, organising corporate sponsorships and bra collection drives and volunteering.
Ahead of her expedition, an official send-off event is expected to take place in Johannesburg in March.
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