Veteran claims title of SA’S Toughest Firefighter

GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - After two days of gruelling competition in the SA Toughest Firefighter Alive Open Challenge, 44-year-old Manie Gouws from the West Rand walked away with the laurels. The TFA was hosted at De Bakke Beach, Mossel Bay on 16 and 17 September.

It was the first time that this national competition was hosted in Mossel Bay and the event organiser, Mark Smith from TFA, confirmed that a record number of entries were received.

Smith said that the 175 entrants are the highest number ever to compete in a South African challenge. The TFA is also set to return to Mossel Bay in 2023 and 2024.

'Just enjoy it'

Gouws started working as a firefighter in 1999 and is currently a paramedic in the service of Gauteng Province. He has competed internationally, but never managed to secure the SA title. In an interview after the prize-giving at Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services, who hosted the event, Gouws gave glory to God for his victory.

For the past four years, he has been involved in training of the West Rand Team who did particularly well in the TFA competition.

Gouws said that hard work, focus and dedication is the key to success. "I always tell my team just to enjoy it. If you enjoy it, it will be easier. It's one step at a time and every single step brings you closer to that finish line. I am content now that I finally got this title."

Emile Conrad, a senior firefighter at the Garden Route District Municipality, the former title holder for five consecutive times, commented on a special relationship between him and Gouws.

Conrad, a George resident, recently returned from the World Firefighter Games in Lisbon, where he secured a second place in his category.

"Manie has been chasing me for years. I am thrilled for him to have secured the title. TFA is always about camaraderie and not about winning. It was such an experience to hand my title to such a deserving friend and colleague." Conrad's wife Benita is also a firefighter.

Gouws completed the tough obstacle course in 09:19 minutes and Conrad in 09:26 minutes. Dale Alexander from City of Cape Town, who participated in the challenge for the first time, was third with a time of 09:48.

He also claimed the title of best newcomer in the male category.

The title of SA's Toughest Firefighter Alive in the female category was claimed by the 27-year old Baigum Abrahams from City of Cape Town with a time of 15:28 minutes. Lesego Molikwe was second with 25:03 minutes and Pule Ontiretse with 26:18, was third. Both Molikwe and Ontiretse, who claimed prizes in many of the categories, are from West Rand.

West Rand also came up trumps as the relay winners in both the men's and women's categories, with times of 08:47 and 19:03 respectively.

The wall was one of the obstacles that made the firefighters sweat blood. Photo: Jannie du Plessis

Old and new

Piet Human, at 61 the oldest firefighter to compete in the challenge, was given a standing ovation by his fellow firefighters and guests as he was called to the stage to receive his prize. The youngest firefighter to compete, apart from the mini firefighter challenge hosted for the first time, is 23 years old.

TFA runner-up Emile Conrad was responsible for the mini firefighter challenge hosted for the first time this year.

Seventy youngsters aged between three and 10 participated. Mark Smith of TFA, who organised the event, said that this challenge is part of an awareness campaign to educate the youth and expose them to firefighting as a profession.

The TFA was hosted as part of the ninth Sport and Recreation Festival hosted by the Mossel Bay Municipality.

The local team from Mossel Bay Fire, Rescue and Disaster Management Services truly got the spectators going as Jaycee Botha, also a first-time participant, was the first in their team to compete.

The executive mayor, Dirk Kotzé, was also at the De Bakke to support the team.

At the prize-giving hosted at the Mossel Bay Fire Station, Kotzé reminded firefighters that they are viewed as role models because of the very qualities that they have exhibited so publicly at De Bakke: leadership, grit and perseverance.

The mini firefighter challenge was one event not to be missed, providing lots of fun and laughs. Photo: Grey Stopforth