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GEORGE NEWS - About 330 firefighters pushed their strength, endurance and skills to the limit during the 2026 Toughest Firefighter Alive - South Africa (TFA-SA) National Championships at Garden Route Mall in George from 1 to 3 October.
Competitors travelled from across South Africa, representing municipal and metro fire services, emergency medical and rescue services and volunteer firefighting organisations.
Among those represented were the Garden Route, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Overstrand and Midvaal municipalities, the City of Cape Town, Western Cape EMS Metro Rescue and Volunteer Wildfire Services.
This year brought its own challenges. Strong winds and hot conditions added to the pressure on the opening day, while rain throughout Saturday made the final day, which included the relay events, a wet and demanding affair.
The competition comprised four stages: hose advance and make-up, an obstacle course, a tower run, and a final run completed in full structural firefighting gear, including helmet, bunker boots and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), carried off air.
Winner Aphiwe Ndukumbini of Western Cape EMS Metro Rescue in action during the competition. Photo: Deidre Cloete
Across the stages, competitors faced an 80m hose run, double hose roll-up, striking a large steel block with a heavy sledgehammer, moving two 25-litre foam drums and rescuing a mannequin, among other physically demanding tasks.
Runner-up Emile Conrad of Garden Route District Municipality. Photo: Deidre Cloete
The younger generation also got a taste of the action through the Mini Toughest Firefighter Alive event. Children aged three to 12 tackled eight action-packed stages designed to test their skills, determination and courage, while giving them a fun introduction to what it takes to be a firefighter.
August (5) and Reagan (9) Hendrickse competed in the Mini Toughest Firefigher Alive competition. Photo: Marguerite van Ginkel
After three days of competition, Aphiwe Ndukumbini of Western Cape EMS Metro Rescue was crowned the 2026 male toughest firefighter alive with an overall time of 07:29. Garden Route District Municipality's Emile Conrad followed just three seconds behind in 07:32, while Bakoena Hatane of Volunteer Wildfire Services finished third in 07:45.
In the women's competition, Nomvuyiseko Lungile of the City of Cape Town claimed the title in 15:52. Fellow City of Cape Town firefighter Andiswa Stafa was second in 16:04, followed by Hessequa Municipality's Amanda Twalo in 17:31.
The winning Mossel Bay Fireblazers women's team: Siphokazi Yabo, Jade Viljoen, Thabiso Keketsi (supporter), Nadia Jacobus-Julies and Ziphelele Magaqa. Photo: Deidre Cloete. LEFT: Winner Aphiwe Ndukumbini of Western Cape EMS Metro Rescue in action during the competition. Photo: Deidre Cloete
The relay competition brought the championships to a close, with teams battling for the final honours. The Mossel Bay Fireblazers claimed the open female title in 14:38, narrowly beating the Cape Town Spartans by three seconds.
Grant Livesey, Azharuddin Nelsone, Mario Ferreira and Edmund Leeman from Gift of the Givers, that provided support and food to the firefighters during the competition. Photo: Marguerite van Ginkel
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