11 Jul 2018

Maun adventurer, Mr Simon Phuthego, is set to climb Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe, located in Southern Russia, on an expedition that will take place on August 2, this year. 

The 42-year-old Maun-born said he was ascending Mount Elbrus as part of preparations to climb the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, as part of his dream to climb all the seven highest summits in the world. 

Mr Phuthego, who is also a farmer in Ngamiland, said he has already successfully climbed the highest mountain in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2014. 

He explained that his reason for partaking in the Russian expedition was a way of marketing Botswana as a tourism destination. 

“As a patriotic citizen this is a way of marketing Botswana in other countries,” he said, adding that his was a story, which could inspire any Motswana to also do the same. 

Mr Phuthego said the adventure was not for the faint hearted as it required someone to be physically and mentally fit. 

He says as part his preparations, he is in the meantime, training, running marathons and doing bungee jumping to stay fit for the challenges. 

Mr Phuthego also took part in different marathons in Zimbabwe at Victoria Fall marathon and Swakopmond in Namibia. 

He said he does not have a sponsor, but the trip to Russia has been made possible through the assistance of businessmen, friends, family and well-wishers, revealing that he was also talking to government department to source sponsorship. 

He said the trip to Mount Kilimanjaro was fully sponsored by a businessman and politician Mr Reaboka Mbulawa, adding “Mr Mbulawa was one of the people who believed in my dream and I thank him for believing in me”. 

He lamented that he could not travel to countries with highest peaks for training due to financial constraints, adding that other challenges include lack of climbing material, which would enable him to fully train. 

Mr Phuthego also stated when he returns from Russia, he would tour different schools in the North West District teaching students about mountaineering. 

He believed that this would inspire students to believe that they could do anything if they believed in themselves.BOPA