Cape Town’s firefighters have once again shown why they are among the toughest in the country, walking away with a haul of 21 medals from this weekend’s Toughest Firefighter Alive competition in George!
Cape Town, South Africa (12 October 2026) – Our Cape Town firefighters continue to make us proud. Representing the Mother City with grit and heart, a brave squad of 23 men and women took on the country’s best over the weekend at the 2026 Toughest Firefighter Alive competition in George.
Competing in full, heavy gear, complete with fire boots, bunker tunics, and helmets, over 300 firefighters and 51 relay teams from across South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia went head-to-head in real-life combat simulations.
This year, the elements made an already daunting challenge even tougher. Teams were challenged by varying weather conditions, with temperatures soaring above 34 degrees Celsius one day and overcast conditions the next.
Yet, through the sweat, heat, and exhausting physical toll, our heroes stood tall, returning home with 17 gold, three silver, and one bronze medal!
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, expressed his pride in the firefighters, saying their achievements at the competition cement what the city and nation already know.
“They are some of the toughest, bravest and most dedicated women and men in the country. I want to congratulate them for being some of the toughest firefighters in the country. Congratulations to the team, who not only did us proud against their counterparts and for stepping up every day,” Smith said.
The winning firefighters are from the following fire stations:
Toughest Firefighter Alive Ladies – Gold
- Nomvuyiseko Lungile (Simon’s Town Fire Station)
Women’s Open:
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Tin Collector's Love for His Dog Got a Helping Hand From a Stranger Who Stopped!- 35-39 Nomvuyiseko Lungile – Gold (Simon’s Town Fire Station)
- 45-49 Thobeka Senatse – Gold (Kraaifontein Fire Station)
- 45-49 Andiswa Stafa – Silver (Simon’s Town Fire Station)
Women’s Open Relay – Gold
- Thobeka Senatse (Kraaifontein Fire Station)
- Noluthando Dyantyi (Wildland firefighter stationed at Kraaifontein Fire Station)
- Nomvuyiseko Lungile (Simon’s Town Fire Station)
- Andiswa Stafa (Simon’s Town Fire Station)
Men’s Open:
- 30-34 Clint Fredericks – Silver (Kommetjie Fire Station)
- 18-29 Faeem Sonday – Bronze (Houtbay Fire Station)
- 45-49 Rudi van der Bergh – Silver (Lakeside Fire Station)
- 50-55 Jermaine Carelse – Gold ( Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station)
- 55-59 Willem Rickett – Gold (Mfuleni Fire Station)
Men’s Open Relay – Silver
- Aneeb Moses ( Epping Fire Station)
- Faeem Sonday (Hout Bay Fire Station)
- Cheron Hendricks (Brooklyn Fire Station)
- Clint Fredericks (Kommetjie Fire Station)
Men’s 40+ Relay – Gold
- Mogammad Armien (Hout Bay Fire Station)
- Rudi Van der Bergh (Lakeside Fire Station)
- Jermaine Carelse (Sir Lowry’s Pass Fire Station)
- Luton Grobbelaar (Belhar Fire Station)
To all our Cape Town champions: thank you for your commitment, your strength, and for keeping our flag flying high!
Sources: City of Cape Town
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