The North West Department of Education wishes to congratulate its Chief Director for Strategy and Governance Ms Pamela Rasetshwane (57) for reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro mountain, in Tanzania on Thursday, 22 September 2022.
Pamela Rasetshwane who is a mother of two and a grandmother of three boys and one girl, is an epitome of making valid dreams and achieving them as she always dreamt of reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro Mountain since 2015. In the previous years she was unable to do it but persisted to fulfil her dream.
This year in 2022, she decided to take her 11 days annual leave which seven of those were to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
She prepared herself for this adventure by climbing Drakensburg, Kgaswane Mountain and the Mmabatho stadium regularly.
“I reached the mountain summit in six days, one day was for acclimatizing so that the body can adjust to the altitude. This is the highest altitude ever from all the mountains I climbed before. I did a lot of local hikes, including Mafadi peak in the Drakensburg Mountain which is 3482 meters above sea level.
“Training started last year and I did a lot of walking to prepare myself.’
“ I broke my ankle in 2015 while preparing for Killimanjaro while climbing Kgaswane Mountain. We then planned it in 2019 but due to Covid – 19 we could not undertake the adventure. We became patient only to climbed this year in 2022.
“Never ever doubt your ability, it’s not about your strength or how strong you are. It is only about your mental strength, never quit on your dream. Dreams are there to be achieved, I told myself that I am not a quitter. Never quit on your dreams thinking that you are not good enough, as a 57 year old I persisted”, said Rasetshwane.
The Kilimanjaro Mountain is the highest mountain in the African continent and it is 5,895 meters high. Kilimanjaro and Mount Everest Mountain are two of the world’s most famous and with challenging high-altitude.
The MEC for Education, Mmaphefo Matsemela congratulated Rasetshwane for reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro Mountain.
“On behalf on the entire department I wish to congratulate Ms Rasetshwane on her personal achievement. This achievement will go down a long way to motivate all employees in the department, to show them that it is possible when you put your mind to it. No matter of the age, colour, background, and social status you can be able to achieve your dream. I think Ms Rasetshwane deserves a hero’s welcome, she is a conqueror.
“I am challenging all the staff in our department to set up their dreams and go for them even before the end of 2022. I am truly inspired by her physical fitness, she never considered her age for such an adventure. Congratulation once more, you are a true inspiration everyone in the department”, said MEC Matsemela.
Rasetshwane and her team are expected to touch down in South Africa on Tuesday, 27 September 2022.
For more information please contact:
Elias Malindi
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 0728928399
