
Saray
Khumalo
Mountaineer, Author, Business Executive & Keynote Speaker
First Black African woman to summit Mount Everest, explorer, and corporate loyalty specialist.

Biography
ProfessionalBiography
“Moving proverbial mountains by climbing real ones to transform the socioeconomic landscape of Africa.”
Saray Khumalo is an award-winning mountaineer, Guinness World Record holder, author, and accomplished speaker and expedition leader. In 2019, on her fourth attempt, Saray summited Mount Everest, becoming the first Black African woman to reach the world’s highest peak. She further cemented her place in mountaineering history by completing the Seven Summits challenge, climbing the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. Her journey is a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the power of an unwavering vision.
Beyond her achievements on the mountains, Saray is an experienced business executive with a successful career in some of South Africa’s leading financial institutions, specializing in eCommerce and customer loyalty. She seamlessly blends her corporate expertise with the lessons from extreme expeditions to inspire and partner with organizations on transformational journeys.
Through her keynotes and leadership engagements, she empowers individuals and teams to identify personal and business goals, unlock their full potential, and achieve exceptional results.
Saray is also the founder of Summits with a Purpose, an initiative dedicated to improving education in disadvantaged African communities. Under her leadership, the initiative has raised funds to build physical and digital libraries, reflecting her belief that literacy and education are pivotal in transforming the narrative for the next generation.
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Books & Publications
Books &Publications

My Journey to the Top of the World
Saray's memoir detailing her historic Everest summit and the lessons of resilience along the way.
Media Coverage
MediaCoverage

Saray Khumalo: Moving proverbial mountains by climbing real ones
The Citizen · 14 Jun 2021
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5 things to know about Saray Khumalo, the first black SA woman to reach top of Mount Everest
News24 · 16 May 2019
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SA businesswoman becomes first black African woman to scale Mount Everest
Face2Face Africa · 17 May 2019
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