Gugu Zulu a great role model -- Sarel vd Merwe

The South African motorsport fraternity reacted with shock on Monday to the news that popular race car driver Gugu Zulu died while attempting to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Zulu was part of a group of 46 South Africans, including his wife, Letshego Zulu, who formed part of the Trek4Mandela expedition.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation announced that Zulu died early on Monday morning after experiencing breathing problems. 

Zulu's love for rallying started in 1997 when he joined the Motorsport Academy and his career took a massive up-swing when he was introduced to the legendary Sarel van der Merwe, 

who took him under his wing and encouraged him to compete in V8's as well as introducing him to Volkswagen Motor Sport.

Zulu was about to start racing the VW Jetta in the new GTC (German Touring Car) Series, which gets underway next month.  

Van der Merwe remained a personal mentor and role model to Zulu and provided him with guidance and advice throughout his career.

Speaking to Jacaranda FM, the man dubbed 'Supervan' during his motor sport career, recalled how he threw young Gugu in at the deep end.

"When I realised what a talent he was, I put him in a V8 Wesbank Car. It was a steep learning curve, but he wasn't scared of the challenge," said Van der Merwe.

"He was a fitness fanatic, which probably explains why he was climbing Kilimanjaro. He was a true role model to the youth and proved what can be done if you put your mind to something."

Former racing driver Terry Moss, who now runs his own motorsport team in Port Elizabeth, said his first recollection was of Zulu racing in the single seater series.

He then moved to the Polo Cup where he drove for Terry Moss Racing.

Moss says he was an asset, not only to motor sport, but also to the country.

" This is tragic news. I guess the daredevil in him made him climb Kilimanjaro. This is very difficult for us to accept, it's a huge shock," said Moss.

" He gave a great account of himself in motor rallying and earned great respect with VW. He was a brilliant sportsman and ambassador, not only to our sport, but the country as a whole."

"Our condolences go out to his wife Letshego, their daughter Lelethu and the entire Zulu Family", said Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group South Africa. 

"We are deeply saddened to have lost Gugu who in so many ways embodied the new South Africa, a man with compassion, drive and a desire to be the best at everything that he did. He was a perfect fit with Volkswagen and we will miss him on both a professional and personal level", added Schaefer.

Minister of Sport and Recreation Filike Mbalula also joined the chorus of tributes.

"It is with a heavy heart to hear of the passing of Gugu Zulu. I know him as a friend who was warm and kind. South Africans know him as a great talented motorsport athlete who excelled 

on the race track. His family knows him as a loving husband and father," read the statement.

"He passed on while on a mission to help others and that made him a selfless South African many should emulate. Gugu was young and still had a lot to offer our country. South Africa is poorer without him," it concluded.