SABC News’ Gillian Pillay, who is part of the 40 climbers participating in the Trek-4-Mandela Centenary climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, says she feels as if she is not ready.

Speaking on Morning Live she says she is full of anxiety but also excitement of what lies ahead.

The 40 climbers were at OR Tambo preparing to leave for the trip.

She says they will be arriving at midnight in Tanzania.

They hope to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on the day of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Wednesday the 18th of July.

Friday morning they will be led by Lesego Zulu in a tree planting ceremony to honour the late Gugu Zulu who passed away due to breathing problems while summitting Kilimanjaro.

A 100 trees will be rooted in African soil in a bid to help save fast-melting glaciers.

Sarah Scott from the Kilimanjaro Project is working tirelessly to revive the once lush vegetation and to try reverse the effects of climate change.

Pillay will be giving daily updates to the SABC and the viewers of their climb.

The official trek will begin on Saturday.

For more watch below

CEO of the Mandela Foundation Sello Hatang says they are humbled by the number of people who are taking part in this years climb.

He says the numbers have continued to increase each year.

He says the Foundation has taken every precaution to make sure the climbers are safe.

For more watch below