Celebrating Sagarmatha: Nepal, South Africa and the Summit of Shared Aspirations

By Kirtan Bhana

1 June 2026

For the people of Nepal, Sagarmatha, known internationally as Mount Everest, is far more than the highest point on Earth. Rising 8,848.86 metres above sea level, it is a symbol of national identity, resilience and pride. It is a natural monument that reflects the enduring spirit of a nation that, unlike much of the developing world, was never colonised and has charted its own course through history.

Like Ethiopia in Africa, Nepal stands among a small group of nations whose sovereignty remained intact through the colonial era. Today, as Nepal continues its own unique political and economic transition, Sagarmatha remains a powerful reminder of the determination and self-belief that have shaped the Nepalese nation.

These sentiments were at the heart of the 73rd International Mount Everest Day celebrations hosted by the Embassy of Nepal in Pretoria. The occasion commemorated one of humanity's greatest achievements since the first record of the successful ascent of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal.

The ceremony brought together diplomats, mountaineers, business leaders and friends of Nepal to celebrate a mountain and the enduring values of courage, perseverance and international friendship that Everest represents.

In his welcoming remarks, Charge d'Affaires Ramesh K. Charmakar drew a compelling connection between South Africa and Nepal, linking the Cradle of Humankind in Africa to the top of the world at summit of the world's highest mountain. He paid tribute to the South African climbers who have successfully conquered Everest, recognising their remarkable achievements and their role in strengthening the bonds between the two nations. They are symbols of a growing relationship built through people-to-people exchanges, adventure tourism, cultural understanding and mutual respect.

The Embassy honoured an impressive group of South African mountaineers whose achievements have become part of the shared story between Nepal and South Africa:
•    Sibusiso Vilane (2003 and 2005)
•    Selebelo Selamolela (2006)
•    Vaughan de la Harpe (2006 and 2010)
•    Robbie Kojetin (2009)
•    Mandy Ramsden (2010)
•    Louis Carstens (2010)
•    Arthur Marsden (2010)
•    Wilmien van der Merwe (2017)
•    Marlette de Jager (2021)
•    Angela Yeung (2025)
•    Dr Jeannette McGill (2025)

Special recognition was also afforded to Warren Eva, the first South African to climb both K2 and Annapurna, further highlighting the deep connection between South Africa's climbing community and the Himalayan region.

Among those honoured, Dr Jeannette McGill's contribution extends beyond mountaineering. Her climbs of Everest, Manaslu, Dhaulagiri and Himlung Himal, along with her numerous ascents of Mera Peak, Lobuche East and Island Peak, have been accompanied by meaningful support for local communities in Nepal, including efforts to assist in rebuilding infrastructure in the Khumbu region.

Special mention should also be made of Angela Yeung, whose successful ascent of Mount Everest in May 2025 represents one of South Africa's newest Everest spirit of determination, perseverance and global citizenship that the mountain has come to symbolize. 

The event featured a lamp-lighting ceremony and the garlanding of a photograph of Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a fitting tribute to two individuals whose historic achievement continues to inspire generations across the world. The participation of New Zealand's High Commissioner to South Africa Philip Hewitt further recognized the international significance of the occasion.

Deepak Thapa delivered a presentation on Nepal's tourism, investment and business opportunities. Situated strategically between the two Asian giants of India and China, Nepal occupies a unique geopolitical and economic position. Increasingly, it is seeking to leverage this position to become a bridge for trade, tourism and investment across Asia.

For African nations pursuing industrialisation, regional integration and economic diversification, Nepal presents valuable opportunities for collaboration in sectors ranging from tourism and hospitality to agriculture, education, renewable energy and specialised manufacturing.

Conversely, South Africa's role as a gateway to Africa provides Nepal with access to one of the world's most dynamic emerging regions. The African Continental Free Trade Area has opened new possibilities for economic engagement, and South Africa's sophisticated financial, logistics and commercial infrastructure make it a natural partner for countries seeking entry into African markets.

This reality lends particular significance to the Nepal Embassy in Pretoria, which remains Nepal's only diplomatic mission on the African continent.

Its presence extends far beyond traditional diplomacy. The embassy serves as a critical platform for trade promotion, investment facilitation, tourism development, educational exchanges and support for the Nepalese community living and working throughout Southern Africa. Many Nepalese professionals have established careers in South Africa, contributing to commerce, industry and professional services while strengthening the people-to-people connections between the two countries.

At a time when governments worldwide are reassessing diplomatic expenditures and overseas missions, the strategic importance of Nepal's representation in South Africa deserves careful consideration. As both Africa and Asia continue to emerge as central drivers of global growth, maintaining institutional bridges between these regions becomes increasingly important.

The Nepal Embassy in Pretoria represents such a bridge. Its work supports not only bilateral relations with South Africa but also Nepal's engagement with an entire continent of more than 1.4 billion people. Likewise, it provides African governments, businesses and citizens with direct access to one of Asia's most distinctive and strategically positioned nations.

The story of Everest itself offers a valuable lesson. No climber reaches the summit alone. Success depends on teamwork, trust, preparation and the willingness to support one another through difficult terrain.

The same principle applies to international relations.

As nations of the Global South navigate a rapidly changing world order, partnerships built on mutual respect and shared aspirations will become increasingly important. Nepal and South Africa, though separated by geography, share experiences of resilience, sovereignty and transformation. Their relationship demonstrates how countries can build meaningful connections through culture, tourism, commerce and human endeavour.

International Mount Everest Day is therefore about much more than a mountain. It celebrates the limitless possibilities that emerge when people dare to climb beyond familiar horizons. It honours the spirit of exploration that unites nations and cultures. And it reminds us that from the Cradle of Humankind to the summit of Sagarmatha, humanity's greatest achievements are often realised when we climb together.