Kilimanjaro just another Happy challenge

Not even the rain could dampen Happy Mashinini’s feeling of accomplishment when she stood at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, 5 895m above sea level.

The adventurous mother of two and a revenue clerk at Carnival City Casino is revelling in her latest achievement.

“I started hiking in 2019 at Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve in Gauteng because it’s fun and keeps me fit. It is great exercise and a fun way to connect with nature. Hiking is meditative and relaxing,” Mashinini said.

Her group of eight train by hiking 10km to 20km every weekend. She was driven to hike Mount Kilimanjaro after climbing the highest mountain in South Africa in March – Mafadi in the Drakensberg. “We then challenged ourselves to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak.”

The group arrived in Tanzania on Monday, 11 September, and started the five-day trek the following morning, summiting on the Friday. “The day of the summit was interesting because we departed at 3am and got to the peak at 10.30am. We had been walking ‘pole pole’, which means ‘slowly slowly’ in Swahili, for seven hours before reaching the top of Kilimanjaro. It was challenging as some of our members experienced altitude sickness. But the proud feeling of having done something difficult made it all worthwhile.”

Back home, Mashinini finds a work-life balance by prioritising tasks efficiently. “I ensure that I allocate enough time for work responsibilities as well as personal pursuits such as spending time with family, engaging in hobbies or pursuing personal goals,” she said. Her next goal also involves hiking – either climbing the highest mountain in South America, Aconcagua, or the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest in the Himalayas.

“Hiking teaches you to endure and never give up, even when it is no longer easy and you are unsure if you can continue. Somehow you maintain and strengthen your resolve. I have learnt so much about myself and am proud to say I went after my dreams.”