At Virgin Money - Insurance like it should be we are proud to have sponsored Sibusiso in "The Goliath Challenge" - to conquer the North Pole and become the first Black person in the world to complete the Three Poles Challenge - The North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest. Congratulations once again Sibusiso!
Read more about Sibusiso.
See pictures from Sibusiso’s journey.
Hear interviews with Sibusiso.
While Sibusiso ventured out to conquer his Goliath Challenge, we invited members of the public to enter the Goliath Challenge Competition, held in partnership with 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Everyone was invited to take part in a chance to be one of five lucky winners to receive a share of R300 000 that would go towards their own Goliath that they wanted to conquer. To stand a chance, all that had to be done was to submit a written motivation about their challenge. Congratulations to our winners - we’re proud to be a part of your Goliath Challenge!
Want to see the winners?
Click here.
About Sibusiso
South African mountaineer and inspirational speaker Sibusiso Vilane has tackled a gruelling expedition to the North Pole!
This proudly South African feat made him the first Black person in the world to complete the Three Poles Challenge – an adventurer’s challenge to reach the North Pole, South Pole and Mount Everest.
His road to extreme climbing was as rocky as his second Everest summit, which made him the first black African to climb the world’s highest peak twice by different routes.
His journey began in Swaziland where he worked as a cattle herder from the age of seven. In fact, he didn’t attend school until he was 10 years old because the money he earned from this job was so vital to his family’s survival.
He moved from cattle herder to game ranger, where he met John Doble in 1996 - the man who was to become his first mentor in the art of climbing, greatest friend, and the benefactor of many of his expeditions. Doble encouraged him to join him on a hike whilst he was still a ranger and during that excursion saw in Sibusiso real potential to do more in this field as well as a deep desire to strive for more in his own life.
From strength to strength, Sibusiso worked hard to reach his goals and now says, “I cannot live without an expedition.” This strong statement is echoed in his triumphs, such as becoming the first Black African to become a member of the Seven Summits club. This exclusive club can only be joined by those who have climbed the highest mountains of each the seven continents.
And it’s not just the excitement of completing remarkable challenges - like successfully climbing Pokalde, Lobujé and Island Peak (all over 6 000 metres high) in the Himalayas. For Sibusiso, it is also to send a message of hope and motivation to others. “I would love to see others following in my footsteps,” says Vilane, so that they too can achieve exceptional things if they take hold of the opportunities afforded them.
