Leonie Viljoen, a Bellville wellness coach and mother of two, has successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro, transforming a long-held personal dream into a powerful statement against gender-based violence (GBV). The gruelling eight-day trek, which began on 25 June, was undertaken not only as a personal challenge but to raise awareness and funds for the 1000 Women Trust, an organisation dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse.
For Viljoen, the climb was the culmination of a seven-year journey that began with a decision to reclaim her life. “In 2018 I went through a tough patch in my life… I just said to myself that this can’t be it for the rest of my life and I decided then there that I’m going to have to choose myself to get out of my situation,” she shared.
This pivotal moment led her to pursue higher education at the age of 35 and eventually set her sights on Kilimanjaro, a mountain she saw as a “sign of freedom.”
The climb itself was a testament to the mental fortitude Viljoen champions. She fell violently ill before the trek even officially started. “I had diarrhea and I was vomiting and we were not even at the start,” she recalled. “I dragged myself literally up that mountain… If I didn’t have the mental strength to do it, I would have stopped there and then, but I knew that I had to do this thing.”
SMread: Your Place, Your Mind: How Environment Shapes Mental Health
A Climb for a Cause
Viljoen, herself a survivor of abuse, partnered with the 1000 Women Trust to give her climb a higher purpose. She aimed to amplify the voices of those who, like she once did, feel unable to speak out.
“I’m a survivor. I’m not a victim,” Viljoen stated firmly. “This is why this climb was so significant for me, because I’m reaching the top, and I’m finding my voice, and I’m finding my voice for other people that cannot speak out.”
Her mission was to support the Trust’s work in creating safe spaces and providing trauma training for women. “I climb for women subjected to gender-based violence whose fight is steeper, their endurance greater, and their courage unlimited,” she said, as reported by multiple outlets.
The support from the organisation was a significant motivator. “1,000 women have given me a little bit of extra wind beneath my wings,” she said, recalling the emotional send-off she received from members at Cape Town International Airport.
The physical challenge of the 5 895-metre ascent was immense, demanding a slow, deliberate pace. The final summit push was an eight-hour overnight ordeal in freezing conditions. “You walk four steps, you’re out of breath, but you just keep going because you have this goal in mind,” Viljoen explained. “You just focus on one step at a time.”
Despite the extreme physical and mental strain, she never considered giving up. “Never once I thought I would give up… I’m just so goal-driven, and I knew I’m going to have to reach this top.”
Her success represents a profound personal victory and a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even after enduring immense hardship, it is possible to stand on the highest point, having found her voice.
Image credit: Good Things Guy
