Cape Town: The firefighters won 13 gold, 11 silver and one bronze medal at 2025 Toughest Firefighter Alive Competition held in George over the weekend. The competition tests firefighters’ mental and physical fitness and simulates firefighting scenarios.
Reportedly, Baigum Abrahams retained her title as the Toughest Female Firefighter Alive for the 3rd year running and this time sharing the top spot with her colleague, Thobeka Senatse.
Abrahams also walked won gold in the 30 – 34 age category, while Senatse won gold in the women’s 45 – 49 age category.
Additionally, the two women were joined by Nomvuyiseko Lungile and Andiswa Stafa, who won gold in women’s relay. Lungile and Stafa added silver to their tally for individual categories.
Whereas, in the men’s categories, Jermaine Carelse won gold in the 50 – 54 age category. In over 40s men’s relay category the team of Luton Grobbelaar, Jermaine Carelse, Mohammed Toufiek Armien and Rudi Van Der Berg won gold.
In men’s open relay category, the team of Aneeb Moses, Bevan Jacobs, Timothy Malan and Clint Fredericks won silver.
Individual silver medals went to Timothy Malan in the 19 -29, Frank Forbay in the 55 – 59 and Rudi van der Berg in the 45 – 49 age categories. An individual bronze medal went to Luton Grobbelaar.
Further, volunteers from the City’s Disaster Risk Management also took part in the competition. Angie Geyser, stationed at Milnerton, won a silver medal in the women’s 19-29 category.
Over 250 firefighters and 44 relay teams from across the country participated. They were joined by teams from Botswana and Namibia.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that their achievement at the competition cements what they already know.
They are some of the toughest, bravest and most dedicated women and men in the country. Congratulations to the team, who not only did us proud against their counterparts, but who have us saluting them every day as they step into the flames to save lives and property,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.