Eight members of the Mangaung Fire Department took part in the eighth Toughest Firefighter Alive South Africa competition that took place from 5 to 7 October at De Bakke Beach in Mosselbay.
There were 166 competitors from various services in South Africa who participated in the individual event.
Rain had a significant effect on much of the event, with downpours pausing proceedings a few times.
So much so, that five of the participants failed to complete the individual event.
Two ladies from Mangaung took part in two separate age categories.
Mmathebehae Maria Tsosane took second place out of seven ladies in the 30 to 34 year age group, and eighth place overall out of 39 ladies.
Masabata Shologu competed in the 35 to 39 year age group, taking second place out of 11 women, and was in the overall seventh position.
Six men from Mangaung were amongst the 127 male participants.
Makgetha Sehong was among 34 competitors in the 35 to 39 year age group. Sehong was 17th in his age group, and 56th overall.
Lebogang Tlotleng took 19th place in 35 to 39 year age group, and was 62nd overall.
Kagisho Rapulana was 25th in the same age group, and was in 82nd position overall.
Juan Jansen van Vuuren, competing for the first time, finished fourth out of 15 competitors, in the 40 to 44 year age group, and finished 55th overall.
There were ten male participants who took part in the 50 to 53 year age group.
The team manager, Assistant Divisional Officer Hentie van Vuuren, also competing for the first time, took tenth place and 119th overall.
Station Officer Russel van Deventer was one of two competitors in the 55 to 59 year age group. Van Deventer claimed gold, finishing in 58th place overall.
There were 45 teams (four firefighters per team) that took part in the relay event.
The Bloemfontein team were privileged to have a former Bloemfonteiner, Piet Niemann, take part as the fourth member in each of the male relay teams. At 62 years, the oldest person participating, he outperformed more than half the field. He took the 53rd position out of 127 male individuals.
The open team took eighth place out of 28 teams in their category, and also eighth out of 35 male teams overall.
Seven senior teams (men over 40 years) took part in the relays. The Mangaung over 40 relay team was awarded bronze. They took 26th place out of 35 teams overall.
The two Mangaung women were joined by two members from other municipalities. They ultimately finished sixth out of 10 female teams.
