Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why he climbed it.
“Because it is there,” he said.
Early next month Angela Yeung will begin her trek to the top of the world for several other reasons, chiefly to spotlight the critical issue of gender-based violence. Assuming she reaches the summit, it won’t be only a South African flag she unfurls but a bra.
Among her many aims is to collect 8849 bras – each of them representing a metre of the total elevation of Everest – to help address a dire need in South Africa’s impoverished areas.
As founder of the Impilo Collection Foundation, Yeung is behind its noble campaign to help restore dignity among such women.
“Climbing Everest is a monumental challenge, but it pales in comparison to the daily battles faced by survivors of GBV,” she says. “Each bra we collect symbolises a message of solidarity: you are seen, valued, and deserving of dignity.”
Yeung, 48, is an experienced climber having summitted several major peaks.
In 2022, she reached the summit of Island Peak, standing at 6165m, in support of the EmpowerHer campaign, which featured a display of 6165 bras at Constitution Hill. By September 2023, Yeung made history as the first South African to conquer the true summit of Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8163m.
Despite a 10m fall and a resulting foot injury during the descent, her determination never wavered, and she successfully completed the expedition.
Last October, Yeung ascended Ama Dablam, a 6812m peak in Nepal, further solidifying her reputation as a fearless mountaineer.
Hong Kong-born with a Japanese mum and a Chinese dad, Yeung’s background is tangled, to say the least. Her mum walked out on the family when Angela was aged three, and her dad fled Hong Kong for South Africa ahead of the Chinese takeover in 1997.
Despite her background, she considers herself South African and she feels a strong affinity for the country and its people. A jewellery designer by profession, and a part-time ballroom dancer, Yeung says she is inspired by the resilience of GBV survivors. “They seek out their courage daily as they fight against their challenges and trauma.”
Her own challenge now awaits.
“The mountain is calling,” she says of her self-funded expedition.
She leaves early next month for Nepal and has set aside two months for the summit, more or less the time required for the out-and-back ascents and descents necessary for the body to adapt to acclimatisation.
Climbing Everest is fiendishly difficult – Yeung allows for the possibility of spotting dead bodies along the way – and she has embarked on a rigorous training programme to ensure she is as fit and strong as possible.
Between 2006 and 2019, approximately 68.2% of women who attempted to summit Mount Everest were successful, giving her a better than even chance of emulating Cathy O’Dowd, the first South African woman to conquer Everest from the north side 26 years ago.
If she has fear, she hides it well.
“Climbing keeps me going,” she says. “I’m not an athlete, just an ordinary person. I’m not the fastest or the strongest, but I can go furthest because I know the [reason] why. My experience gives me the confidence to climb.”
How to get involved:
Corporates and individuals are invited to show their support in a number of ways. These include:
- Donate bras: Donate new or gently used bras at designated collection points or visit the Impilo Collection Foundation’s website to locate the collection points – www.impilofoundation.org
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsor kilometres of Angela’s climb or organise your own bra collection drives.
- Volunteer: Join as a Social Warrior to assist with fundraising and campaign events.
- Follow the Journey: Stay updated on Angela’s progress through live updates on the foundation’s social media platforms. Instagram @Impilo_foundation
- iME, a video tech platform, will be supporting Yeung on her journey to summit Mount Everest, raising awareness for victims and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
Yeung has partnered with iME (www.i-me.tech) to amplify her mission, collecting messages of support, encouragement, and raising funds for a vital cause: the purchase of 8848 bras, symbolising each metre of Everest’s towering height.
Through iME’s platform, supporters can follow Angela’s expedition, share their messages, and contribute to this meaningful initiative.
Her journey is not just a climb – it’s a testament to resilience, empowerment, and solidarity.
To send your message of support, see here.
For more information on the EmpowerHer Campaign to volunteer or sponsorships for Angela Yeung’s Everest Climb, visit https://impilofoundation.org/
About the Impilo Collection Foundation
With a vision to uplift the lives of one million people by 2035, the Impilo Collection Foundation is dedicated to improving lives by advocating for dignity, equity, and well-being. Through innovative programmes like EmpowerHer, EmpowerHim, and EmpowerThem, the foundation addresses systemic issues and creates opportunities for underserved communities.
