Mrs South Africa 2nd Princess Talitha Oosthuizen is swapping sashes for summit trails as she prepares to trek to Everest Base Camp — not just for adventure, but for advocacy.
Departing South Africa on 25 February, Oosthuizen will embark on a two-week journey to the base of Mount Everest, standing 5 364 metres above sea level. But she insists the climb is about far more than reaching one of the world’s most iconic destinations.
“This is not just a climb,” she said at her official send-off at Hotel Sky in Johannesburg on 18 February. “It is a spotlight on the lives stolen by human trafficking and the rhinos lost to greed.”
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A climb with purpose
Oosthuizen is using her platform to raise awareness for two causes close to her heart: Shattering Shackles, an organisation fighting human trafficking, and GreenTracks, which supports anti-poaching canine units.
“It is a reality in our country that we cannot ignore,” she said of human trafficking, noting that thousands of South Africans are affected.
She also highlighted the devastating impact of rhino poaching across the continent, where more than 10 000 rhinos have been killed in recent years.
“If we do not protect our wildlife, who will?”
With the South African flag in hand, Oosthuizen will trek through the Himalayas as a symbol of resilience, advocacy and hope.
From Kilimanjaro to the Himalayas
This is not her first mountain.
The entrepreneur and advocate has already summited Mount Kilimanjaro and completed more than 40 hiking trails across South Africa and Namibia. But she describes Everest Base Camp as her most purposeful journey yet.
Travelling solo, she will begin in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla, followed by several days of hiking through remote villages and staying in basic teahouses along the way.
Temperatures can plummet to minus 20 degrees at night, and altitude sickness remains a real risk.
“If my body says no, I will accept it. But I am going there with courage,” she said.
Carrying more than a flag
Beyond the physical challenge, Oosthuizen’s trek is deeply personal.
A survivor of gender-based violence, she says she carries her younger self with her on this journey.
“I am carrying that little girl I once was,” she shared.
“When I plant that flag, I am doing it for every South African woman.”
She hopes her climb will inspire women to pursue bold dreams and use their voices to create meaningful change.
“This journey isn’t just about reaching Everest Base Camp. It’s about showing women that courage can transform obstacles into opportunities.”
Leading from the front
Since being crowned Mrs South Africa 2nd Princess, Oosthuizen has committed herself to using her platform for impact beyond pageantry.
Her Everest trek represents a modern vision of empowerment — where leadership, advocacy and adventure intersect.
From Johannesburg to the Himalayas, she hopes her journey sends a clear message: women can lead on global stages, stand for urgent causes and climb literal and metaphorical mountains.
“If my journey inspires even one woman to find her courage,” she said, “then every step will have been worth it.”
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Featured Image: Instagram | talithaoosthuizen
