Ndiyamba shares Kilimanjaro experience in debut book
It is not every day that you come across a whole book based on a single experience but such is the narrative with Stephen Ndiyamba’s new book One Week in December: Summiting Kilimanjaro an national flag as well as various participating company's flags on Uhuru Peak after 16 of them managed to summit the mountain. He described the experience as humbling and fulfilling (pp.11).
In the book, Ndiyamba says it had taken a push from his two friends Chris and Elija to embark on the refreshing exploration.
“I sat on my desk, gazing out at the sprawling countryside through my window. My mind wandered far beyond the confines of my office walls longing for something more, perhaps an escape. For as long as I could remember, I had always been drawn to adventure and the enchantment of nature’s marvels. And Kilimanjaro, Africa’s majestic peak, seemed the right kind of wonder, embodying that very allure I had been seeking”(pp.14)
Ndiyamba added: “Yes I had previously encountered fascinating stories about the legendary mountain each more captivating than the last. One article I had stumbled upon detailing the experiences of mountaineers who had successfully reached the pinnacle of Kilimanjaro resonated deeply with me. Their tales not only recounted the physical and mental challenges they had faced but also paid homage to the personal growth and self-discovery they had experienced along the way. A deep stirring within me urged me to embark on this extraordinary adventure and Elijah’s timing could not have been more perfect.(pp.14)
In essence the book One Week in December: Summiting Kilimanjaro seems to be a charge to action to employers to prioritise the physical and mental wellbeing of their employees given how Ndiyamba exemplary leads a team of workmates to summit Kilimanjaro,
“As we discussed the Kilimanjaro hike further, it dawned on me that this was a good challenge for us and a perfect opportunity to include hiking in the mine’s wellness programs…The Kilimanjaro hike would, therefore be perfect for galvanising and motivating employee participation”(pp.19)
In the book, Ndiyamba also explores the beauty of Zimbabwe and it’s various local hiking tourist resorts including
Mount Nyangani,Chimanimani Mountains, Mount Selinda, Ngomakurira and Domboshava Hills which they explored as they prepared for their gigantic date with Kilimanjaro.
He shares the benefits of hiking, including how climbing mountains can be a spiritual journey by referring to folklore stories and the belief that mountain air carries the whispers of ancient tales.
“Those who claim to know say that if you take a moment and pause to listen then you will hear the echoes of ancient wisdom, reminding you of the interconnectedness between nature and our journey through life” (pp.25).
During his daring Kilimanjaro summiting experience, at one time Ndiyamba endured what he termed “a maelstrom of emotions” as the euphoria he and his team had when they left Harare seemed to have dissipated in the face of the challenging reality which now confronted them,
“Many nights I would lie awake in my tent, tossing and turning, consumed with worry about the health of my team members particularly when the symptoms of high altitude sickness started to appear. The burden of carrying such a responsibility was overwhelming, yet it brought me a sense of fulfilment and gratification(pp.61).
Ndiyamba also describes the summiting experience as one of the greatest challenging hiking experiences in his life.
“No words can really do the summit night justice. It was the hardest thing I have ever done an perhaps will ever do. The terrain challenged our every step, threatening to send us tumbling into the abyss below. The thin air made even the simplest task feel like Herculean feats. Yet we pressed on, our determination unwavering”(pp.120).
One key take away from Ndiyamba’s One Week in December seems to be that hiking, summiting and exploring challenging encounters with nature is always fulfilling and more of a spiritual experience than it is a physical one judging by how he described his view from the summit.
“We stood at the top of the world, surrounded by clouds, an awe-inspiring beauty. The view took my breath away, both literary and figuratively. At that moment, I understood the true essence of life’s peaks and valleys. Kilimanjaro taught me that the toughest challenges often have profound rewards. There I made a silent promise to myself. I would carry the spirit of Kilimanjaro within me reminding myself of the heights I can reach, the challenges I can overcome and the beauty that awaits those who dare to blaze trails into the unknown” (pp.130).
It is Sir Edmund Hillary who once observed “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves” and Ndiyamba’s Kilimanjaro summiting experience validates this assertion.
Fungayi Antony Sox is a seasoned communications and publishing specialist who has advised and consulted for CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, youth-focused startups, businesses, several institutions, and organisations. For feedback contact him on 0776 030 949, connect with him on LinkedIn on Fungayi Antony Sox, or write to him on fungayisox@gmail.com