GEORGE NEWS - Hundreds of firefighters from across South Africa descended on George this week to take part in the Toughest Firefighter Alive South Africa (TFA-SA) competition. This is a gruelling three-day test of strength, endurance and teamwork, held this year at the Garden Route Mall.
Gauteng emerged as the top-performing province, with the West Rand N’zuri A-team as the top performer in the men’s open relay event. Their female counterparts from N’zuri also triumphed, taking first place in the women’s open relay.
In the men’s open relay, the defending champions from Garden Route Municipality fought hard but had to settle for third place this year, while Cape Town Fire & Rescue claimed second position.
Local firefighter Emile Conrad, representing Garden Route Municipality, once again proved his endurance and skill. Conrad finished second overall in the men’s individual challenge, adding to his impressive record of having won seven of the ten TFA-SA competitions held nationwide to date.
The men’s open individual title went to Aphiwe Ndukbini of Western Cape EMS Rescue Services, with Manie Gouws of Westrand in third place.
Aphiwe Ndukbini of Western Cape EMS Rescue Services.
In the women’s division, the competition was fierce, with Baigum Abrahams and Thobeka Senatse of Cape Town Fire & Rescue Services sharing the top spot on the podium.
Sweetness Canisilo of Western Cape EMS secured second place, followed by Natasha Stoltz of Volunteer Wildfire Services in third.
The prizegiving ceremony took place on Saturday evening, 11 October, at the Garden Route Fire & Rescue Services headquarters in George Industria, where winners were celebrated for their strength, teamwork, and dedication.
Speaking to the George Herald at the competition earlier the day, Garden Route District Mayor Andrew Stroebel expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in making the competition a success.
“It is not only about the competition,” said Stroebel. “This is a family-friendly event which gives firefighters from across the country the chance to interact and be seen for the heroes they are. It is a very lonely job. When everybody lies in their beds, fast asleep, these guys work to combat fires. They deserve this recognition.”
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