RIP Gugu Zulu

"McMike" (mcmike)
07/18/2016 at 09:30 • Filed to: Stig, RIP, TopGear

While many of us might not be fluent in South African rally national champions, we may be familiar with his work on the BBC as “Stig’s African Cousin”

South African rally driver Gugu Zulu has died while attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Mr Zulu, 38, was on a Nelson Mandela-linked charity trip to raise funds to buy sanitary towels for girls.

Mr Zulu and his wife Letshego both descended Mount Kilimanjaro when he experienced breathing problems on Sunday, according to local reports.

In his last Facebook post, the three-times national rally champion posted he had flu-like symptoms.

Mr Zulu won the hearts of many South Africans with his warm spirit as a motorsport television presenter and was well-loved even by those who did not follow racing, say the BBC’s Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg.

“Made it though day2. My wife is doing fabulous, she has even learnt the local language. Am having flu like symptoms and struggling with the mountain but taking it step by step!! Today we managed to see our destination and our camp is literary above the clouds!!” he said in his last post 16 July.

The pair, affectionately known as the “adventure couple”, were celebrated in South African sporting circles.

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This was his last Instagram post. RIP Gugu.

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DISCUSSION (13)

smobgirl > McMike
07/18/2016 at 09:53

Wow, that's sad. He seems like such a cool guy.

Nerd-Vol > McMike
07/18/2016 at 09:55

That's terrible. RIP.

Sam > McMike
07/18/2016 at 09:58

Damn, we all know how risky auto racing is, but never expect anyone to get killed doing it... :(

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > McMike
07/18/2016 at 10:00

uHamba kahle futhi ngiyabonga Gugu.

McMike > Sam
07/18/2016 at 10:10

He died hiking up a mountain.

Sam > McMike
07/18/2016 at 10:15

Ah I read ‘rally driver’ and ‘Kilimanjaro’ and my brain assumed it was some rally around the mountain, and of course Kinja won’t let me change the original comment.

I wonder which is statistically more deadly, mountain climbing or auto racing?

McMike > Sam
07/18/2016 at 10:21

I wonder which is statistically more deadly, mountain climbing or auto racing?

For Stigs? I think it’s even.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > McMike
07/18/2016 at 10:58

This is why I dont get extreme thrill seekers. His wife will live alone now.

McMike > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
07/18/2016 at 11:43

She was with him.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > McMike
07/18/2016 at 11:50

But he’s dead. Granted illness seems to be the reason he didnt make it, but I bet if he was closer to medical facilities, as in not needlessly climbing a large rock, the outcome would have been different.

Dusty Ventures > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
07/18/2016 at 17:12

I have an opposing mentality. I don’t get not doing what you’re passionate about and what excites you out of the fear of what “might” happen. I grew up in a funeral home, and therefore saw death regularly. Among other things growing up in that environment taught me that there’s so many mundane ways we can easily die (we got one who tripped over his cat), there’s no point in letting the fear of death hold you back from your dreams.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > Dusty Ventures
07/18/2016 at 19:19

yea you’re right, but why does one dream of climbing a mountain? In this day and age. Its a question I have always had, no answer I’ve heard satisfies me.

But I would accept the following: rising flood waters, escaping something. But for thrill?

Kinja'd!!!

Dusty Ventures > ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper
07/18/2016 at 19:37

For the challenge. People do it because it’s hard, because it takes a lot of work, because not everyone can do it. The greater the obstacles one must overcome to achieve a goal, the greater the sense of joy and accomplishment when they succeed. No one feels excited and proud about successfully doing shit that’s easy.