Johannesburg - The death of veteran racing driver and television presenter Gugu Zulu was an untimely tragedy that happened to a nation and no one was to blame, Minister of Sport Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday.
Zulu, 38, affectionately known as "the fastest brother in Africa" died on Monday after experiencing breathing problems while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
"It happened to Gugu, a sportsman who is very fit. Not ever did we think that he could perish in the way he did, but it happened," Mbalula said while addressing the media at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where the climbers arrived on Wednesday evening.
"Today it happened to us as this nation, that we have lost one of our own. Our beloved Gugu. Nobody signed a death warrant to climb the mountain, it was voluntary, it was for a good cause. Here before us in history lies a story of goodwill... It is an inspirational story, it is tragic but it will remain with us in history forever and ever," Mbalula said.
"The story of a young man, together with brave South Africans climbed a mountain not for recreation but for goodwill... (The 41 climbers were) climbing a mountain to liberate others to live a better life for all. Gugu is our sportsman and we know him for his heroic deeds."
Mbalula said climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was not the first adventure for Zulu, who had done the Cape Epic, an annual mountain bike stage race, as well as the Cape Argus. Zulu completed the Cape Epic with flying colours, he said.
"It is unfortunate today that God calls… and he (Zulu) is no more. This is a life and a story to be celebrated and I think today, even though we did not climb the mountain, we know the story of climbing a mountain," Mbalula said.
Mbalula said Zulu had a heroic spirit of finishing the journey and took it upon himself to make a difference in the lives of others.
"Gugu and these brave South Africans... wanted to make a difference. It is not a life in which anyone could have chosen but we are proud of Gugu and we will always be proud of him. Today we know the love we had for Gugu. Today all South Africans gathered together and said ‘farewell brother, rest in peace’. We extend our condolences to all of you, friends and family," he said.
Turning to experienced mountaineer and expedition leader Sibusiso Vilane, Mbalula said: "You will always and forever be a hero of all South Africans for what you did - don’t blame yourself. It is a tragedy, it does happen. Leave it to God... He’s got all the answers."
Earlier, Vilane broke down and cried as he relayed the journey to Mount Kilimanjaro. He apologised and said he had promised the 41 climbers and their families that he would bring them back home safely. He cried and bowed his head while the audience stood up and applauded him.
Mbalula thanked the doctors who "tried their best to save the life of Gugu" and assured them that it was not their fault.
"There is no moment in time for judgement, who are we to judge when the person who loved Gugu saw him to death alongside him. Tragedies in life do happen."
The 2016 Trek4Mandela team climbed to Mount Kilimanjaro on late former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18. The expedition was for the benefit of a schoolgirls’ charity drive.
Zulu is survived by Letshego, who was on the climb with him, and their one-year-old daughter.
NFM chief executive officer Sello Hatang said he had recruited the Zulus to join the 2016 Trek4Mandela expedition. The couple, both fitness fanatics and adventurers, offered physical and muscle training for the team, an emotional Hatang told the conference.
"To South Africans, I would like to say I am very sorry for not bringing Gugu back alive. Recruiting him because of his selflessness... I am deeply hurt, it was a course that we believed in, in order to ensure that no girl child misses school," Hatang said.
The 2016 Trek4Mandela expedition was dedicated to Zulu, he said.
The foundation anticipated that Zulu’s body would be brought back from Tanzania by Friday. Hatang announced that a memorial service would be held on July 26 at the Kyalami race track in Midrand. It would be followed by the funeral on July 28.
ANA