Angela Yeung: A Historic Everest Climb for GBV Survivors
Climbing Mount Everest is no easy feat. Still, Angela Yeung says it “pales in comparison to the daily battles faced by survivors of [Gender Based Violence].” Her mission is simple: Collect 8849 bras – each representing a metre of Mount Everest’s elevation – to distribute to GBV shelters across South Africa. Essentially, she hopes to empower GBV survivors in their move towards rebuilding their lives.
Yeung trains around the clock, trusting that she will withstand the harsh conditions on the northern side of Mount Everest. More so, she is training to be the beacon of hope for GBV victims and survivors, one mountain at a time.
Angela Yeung as a Record Breaking South African Mountaineer
It all started in November 2022, when Yeung summited Island Peak, sitting at 6165 m. A year later, in September 2023, she became the first South African to reach the true summit of Mount Manaslu in Nepal. This is the world’s eighth-highest peak, sitting at 8163 m. Despite sustaining a foot injury during her descent and having to be airlifted to safety, she was back to climbing mountains in just over a year. In October 2024, she summited the peak of Ama Dablam in Nepal, at a height of 6812 m.
Now, Yeung is ready to become the second South African female to summit Mount Everest’s North Face, also known as the Tibetan Route. She follows in the footsteps of Cathy O’Dowd who was the first woman globally to summit both Everest’s north and south sides in 1999.
Yeung’s latest groundbreaking expedition will take place from 27 April to 3 June 2025. The three-month journey will undoubtedly consist of emotional and physical hardships, but Yeung will persevere every step of the way. She will be wearing a suit inspired by the South African flag, bringing the colours of the country to the peak of Mount Everest.
“For me, a climb is not just a climb; it is a mirror of the struggles we face as human beings. Like the tenacity needed to climb the north side ascent of Everest, a route known for its rugged terrain and extreme challenges, our GBV survivors seek out their own courage daily as they fight against their challenges and trauma,” says Yeung.
She adds: “This is not just my climb; it’s every single South African’s climb. Together, we can transform Everest into a beacon of hope.”
Impilo Collection Foundation as a Beacon of Hope
Impilo Collection Foundation shines a light on a national crisis that is often referred to as the ‘second pandemic’ in South Africa: Gender Based Violence.
Recent statistics revealed that:
– A woman is murdered every four hours, with many of these crimes linked to intimate partner violence.
– More than 40% of women in South Africa have experienced some form of violence, be it physical, sexual or emotional, in their lifetimes.
– Police reports indicate that over 12000 cases of rape were reported between July and September 2024, a figure experts believe is significantly under-reported.
Thus, Yeung’s proudest achievement to date is her Impilo Collection Foundation. The organisation is dedicated to improving human lives by advocating for dignity, equity and well-being. Furthermore, through programmes like EmpowerHer, EmpowerHim and EmpowerThem, the foundation addresses societal issues and creates opportunities for under-served communities.
The EmpowerHer Programme is a campaign that aims to restore GBV survivors’ dignity. Their latest drive is to collect and distribute bras to women who could otherwise not afford one. Following their sanitary pad drop-off, Yeung says that women in villages across South Africa have asked for bras. “When they expose themselves, perpetrators see that as an invitation of sexual attention,” said Yeung.
Evidently, while climbing Everest is a monumental challenge for Yeung, it’s no match to the daily battles faced by GBV survivors. “Each bra we collect symbolises a message of solidarity: You are seen, valued and deserving of dignity,” she says.
