Two firefighters from the Volunteer Wildfire Services delivered incredible performances at the CHARNAUD Race to the Top this weekend, one of SA’s most demanding firefighter challenges!
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 December 2025) – Two firefighting ladies from the Volunteer Wildfire Services (VWS), Natasha Stoltz and Charlene Vrey, were among 50 invited firefighters who took on the challenge, which required competitors to climb all 57 floors of The Leonardo, the tallest building in Sandton!
It totalled 1194 steps and 234 metres of vertical ascent while wearing full structural firefighting gear. The event was invitation-only, with no public entries, and was designed to test endurance, strength and operational fitness.
Stoltz finished second in the women’s category, securing a silver medal against some of the country’s strongest firefighting competitors. Vrey also completed the race with a strong result, representing VWS in a field that included firefighters from across multiple services.
“These women showed strength, endurance, and the spirit of the yellow family all the way to the top.” shared the VWS.
The VWS is South Africa’s largest volunteer firefighting organisation, established following the major Cape Town fires of 1999/2000. Today, more than 350 trained volunteers operate from four stations across the Western Cape in Newlands, South Peninsula, Stellenbosch and Helderberg.
Women make up roughly 34% of VWS volunteers who respond to wildfires, assist emergency services, and support fire prevention and public education efforts across the province. As fire seasons continue to lengthen and wildfire frequency increases, VWS have become heroes in protecting communities, property and natural areas.
Full results from the challenge are as follows:
Men’s Category
- (GOLD) Manie Gouws — 13:36
- (SILVER) Simiso Gumede — 13:49
- BRONZE) Ethan Wilderman — 14:15
Women’s Category
- (GOLD) Maithamako Moswete — 19:30
- (SILVER) Natasha Stoltz — 22:03
- (BRONZE) Masabata Shologu — 23:40
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