Advice from Sibusiso Vilane, “You’ve got to dream and then set out to achieve your dreams.” (Image: Sibusiso Vilane)

Sibusiso Vilane is the first African, and one of only a handful of people, to accomplish the Explorers Grand Slam – the Goliath Challenge. He is a walking, talking advertisement for perseverance and resilience, spreading the message that “we Africans can reach great heights” around the world.

Vilane has endured glacial temperatures and violent snow storms to become one of fewer than 150 people to climb the highest peak on all the continents. Once he had completed the Seven Summits, Sir Ranulph Fiennes goaded him into taking on a real challenge – the Goliath Challenge. Goliath, or the Three Poles Challenge, recognises adventurers who have climbed Everest and have walked unaided to the North and South poles.

“There will be challenges but it’s about just being persistent and not giving up,” has been Vilane’s advice to children that he gives motivational talks to. (Image: Sibusiso Vilane)

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