The Zulu word 'isicongo' is used to suggest the summit of the mountain. It is also the name of a groundbreaking project, fusing two women's passions for mountaineering and their tenacious drive to ascend the highest peaks on each of the seven continents of the world.

Evelina Tshabalala and Zuki Matamo will move their own mountains. From the Mandela Park informal settlement in Hout Bay, these two women will travel the world, experiencing the ultimate exhilaration of summiting some of the highest mountains. Ultimately, Evelina and Zuki intend be the first black women to summit Everest.

The Seven Summits is a series of mountains consisting of the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Subject to minor debate, the summits include Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Elbrus in Russia, Vinson in Antarctica, Denali in Alaska, Kosciuszko in Australia, Aconcagua in Argentina and finally Everest in the Himalayas.

With only a few hundred people able to claim the achievement of summiting all of these peaks, these women are already on their way. Evelina summited Kilimanjaro on 8 July, and Zuki will be completing this first leg of the journey in August. ?Every summit has its own character. They differ in heights and levels of difficulty. Kilimanjaro is not the most difficult or dangerous, but when I reached the top, at that very moment I was the highest person in Africa. There is no feeling like it. I can't wait to get started on Elbrus in September,? says Evelina.

Although these summits are termed non-technical mountains, which means that advanced rock climbing skills and equipment are not necessary, these mountains involve high altitudes and difficult routes.

Zuki demonstrates this as she comments on the skills necessary to climb Denali in the Arctic circle: ?Denali is the best preparation for Everest. You are dropped off on a glacier, where you have to drag your supplies on a sled as you start climbing. We will need to dig a hole in the ice and pitch our tent inside the hole. After that, we will need to hack enormous bricks out of the ice to place around the perimeter of the hole to protect our tent from the violent winds. All this must happen in the wind, snow and freezing cold. This mountain is going to test our strength, mentally and physically.?

The logistics involved in a project like this are equally daunting. Take the Vinson Massif for example. It is part of the Sentinal Range of Antarctica, 78?S, and a mere 1 200 km from the South Pole. In order to get to the base camp, mountaineers take a plane from the Punta Arenas in Chile, to the Patriot Hills blue-ice runway (keeping in mind it is impossible to use brakes on ice) on the Antarctic surface.

From there, they take a one-hour helicopter ride to the base camp. Unfortunately, the base camp is often shrouded in mist, making a landing impossible. It is quite plausible that people can wait two to three weeks before being able to land there (or be picked up) often resulting in supplies being exhausted, the ramifications of which are suitably terrifying. This is just one leg of the journey. There are six more trips to be organised, timed and carried out.

Over the next few years, these two women will climb their way to the ranks of South Africa's most inspirational cultural icons. Having already conquered their own personal Everests, Zuki and Evelina have made the brave decision to attempt a difficult task, and there is a strong possibility that they may fail.

?What we are doing may be newsworthy because it is a first, and no other black women have done this. But just because it makes the papers, it doesn't make it more important than someone overcoming their own challenges, whether it's getting an education, a promotion or surviving an ordeal.

Isicongo is a project that we hope will move others to move their own mountains,? they agree. For more info, visit www.isicongo.za.net