Kilimanjaro claims leading South African rally driver

South African rally driver Gugu Zulu has died unexpectedly during an expedition with his wife, Lesego, climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro.  

Zulu reportedly experienced breathing troubles.  

Although best known in rallying as an official driver in VW’s national South African championship team, he was very well known as a popular part of the emerging South African sporting scene, in which he was active in various activities, including this week’s Trek 4 Mandela expedition.  

He had been active in motorsport since 1999 after graduating from the Isondo Racing Academy.   He was popularly known by the Zulu community as “the Fastest Brother in Africa”.  

He was hugely respected for his energy in encouraging people to break their own boundaries and try new challenges.   

I had the honour of meeting him at the Total Rally in 2005.  I had already been alerted to the respect in which he was held across the country.  

It was at a service halt, when suddenly a driver came running across to me.  It was many years since I had previously been in his country.  All he wanted was to welcome me to the country he loved.
 
RallySport Magazine sends its condolences to his family and friends.

- Martin Holmes   

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