Media Release: Three Days of Grit, Strength and Heart Define the 2026 Toughest Firefighter Alive Championship

For immediate release
6 October 2026

After three grueling days of grit, strength, endurance and heart, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) successfully hosted the 11th Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA) South Africa Championship at the Garden Route Mall in George.

Despite the challenging and unpredictable weather conditions for which George is well known, the atmosphere throughout the three-day championship remained exciting. This year’s event had the biggest attendance yet and brought together 330 firefighters from across South Africa, over 25 organisations represented, including a 30 member team from Botswana.

On Saturday evening, the championship culminated in an awards ceremony held at the Transnet Railway Museum in George, where the winners in the various categories were announced. The prestigious event was attended by the Executive Mayors of both Garden Route District and George Municipalities, firefighters and their families, fire chiefs, support staff, emergency personnel, sponsors and exhibitors.

Councillor Jobieth Hoogbaard, GRDM MMC for Community Services, welcomed attendees by paying tribute to firefighters, describing them as a “rare breed of human beings” who run towards danger and push themselves beyond their limits to demonstrate what is humanly possible.

Individual Category winners of the TFA-SA 2026.

George Executive Mayor Ald. Browen Johnson reflected on the three-day championship, highlighting the bravery, perseverance, determination, strength and courage displayed by the participants. He said what stood out most was the camaraderie among firefighters and the way they supported and encouraged one another throughout the competition. With the upcoming fire season and El Niño predictions in mind, Mayor Johnson said the strength and commitment demonstrated during the championship gave him confidence that firefighters were ready to serve wherever they were needed most.

“Tonight we are gathered here with respect,  respect for every firefighter who stepped onto the course, respect for each person who pushed themselves beyond their limits, and respect for a profession that continues to serve others with courage and humility.” These were the opening words of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Executive Mayor Ald. Marais Kruger during his keynote address.

Team (Relay) Award Winners of the TFA-SA 2026.

Mayor Kruger paid tribute to firefighters for their selfless commitment to serving others. He highlighted that firefighters rarely seek recognition, but simply answer the call whenever communities need them,  whether responding to wildfires, motor vehicle accidents, rescue operations or disasters. He also acknowledged the sacrifices made behind the scenes, noting that the well-known firefighter’s prayer, “When I am called to duty, wherever flames may rage, give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age,” captures the spirit of service, courage and readiness that defines the profession.

In conclusion, a visibly exhausted yet proud GRDM Fire Chief Deon Stoffels thanked all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the championship, including the participating firefighters, emergency personnel, sponsors, exhibitors and Gift of the Givers. He acknowledged their support, commitment and valuable contribution to making the event a success and also confirmed that the TFA SA Championship will once again be hosted by the Garden Route District Municipality in 2027.

The 2026 Overall Winners:

Aphiwe Ndukbini from Western Cape EMS Rescue Services once again claimed the title of Overall TFA Champion, securing the prestigious title for the second consecutive year. Emile Conrad from the GRDM finished in second place, while Bakoena Hatane from Volunteer Wildfire Services secured third place.

The Overall Female Champion title went to Nomvuyiseko Lungile from the City of Cape Town. Andiswa Stafa, also from the City of Cape Town, secured second place, while Amanda Twalo from Hessequa Municipality took third place.

A breakdown of all the individual winners in the different age categories:

Male Overall

1. Aphiwe Ndukumbini – 0:07:29 – WC Emergency Medical Services, Metro Rescue
2. Emile Conrad – 0:07:32 – Garden Route District Municipality
3. Bakoena Hatane – 0:07:45 – Volunteer Wildfire Services

Female Overall

1. Nomvuyiseko Lungile – 0:15:52 – City of Cape Town
2. Andiswa Stafa – 0:16:04 – City of Cape Town
3. Amanda Twalo – 0:17:31 – Hessequa Municipality

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Age 18-29 Male

1. Bakoena Hatane – 07:45
2. Ethan Wildeman – 09:01
3. Faeem Sonday – 09:25

Age 18-29 Female

1. Tenike Blunden – 20:36
2. Busisiwe Mdatyulwa – 21:28
3. Jayde Viljoen – 22:06

Age 30-34 Male

1. Rano Africa – 08:30
2. Clint Fredericks – 08:46
3. Jason Griffiths – 09:53

Age 30-34 Female

1. Maryna Odendaal – 21:56
2. Aliyaah Arnolds – 22:08
3. Dazelle Jacobs – 22:15 

Age 35-39 Male

1. Luvuyo Smith – 08:05
2. Vincent Naudé – 08:28
3. Martins Mokgatle – 08:56

Age 35-39 Female

1. Nomvuyiseko Lungile – 15:52
2. Lesego Molikwe – 20:58
3. Lesedinyana Tumelo- 22:10

Age 40-44 Male

1. Aphiwe Ndukumbini – 07:29
2. Emile Conrad – 07:32
3. Tertius Engelbrecht – 07:50

Age 40-44 Female

1. Amanda Twalo – 17:31
2. Ntsugi Johannah Belali – 18:03
3. Maithamako Moswete – 20:12

Age 45-49 Male

1. Manie Gouws – 08:16
2. Rudi Van der bergh – 09:38
3. Nathan Heyns – 12:06

Age 45-49 Female

1. Andiswa Stafa – 16:04
2. Thobeka Sweetness Senatse -19:14
3. Coleen Johnson – 21:12

Age 50-54 Male

1. Jermaine Carelse – 10:54
2. Morne Mommsen – 12:23
3. Smanga Kamase 15:07

Age 50-54 Female

1. Ontiretse Pule – 22:04
2. Mercy Dineo Golaakwena – 34:48

Age 55-59 Male

1. Willem Rickett – 27:06
2. No recorded result.
3. No recorded result.

Age 60-64 Male

1. Johan Conradie – 21:57
2. Francis van der Byl – 22:13
3. No recorded result.

Age 65+ Male

1. Piet Niemann -16:33

TEAM (RELAY) AWARDS

Open Female

1. Mossel Bay Fireblazers – 14:38
2. Cape Town Spartans – 14:41
3. Nzuri Westrand – 15:22

Open Male

1. VWS 1 – 7:22
2. Cape Town Spartans 1 – 07:25
3. Midvaal – 07:29

Male 40+

1. Cape Town Spartans – 08:12
2. Midvaal – 08:30
3. Gauteng Toppies – 12:05

Male 50+

1. Charnaud – 13:05

Mixed

1. Alpha Dragons – 10:34
2. VWS -12:06
3. Overstrand – 12:20

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