Firefighters from Overstrand Municipality proved their mettle at International Firefighters’ Day (IFFD) celebrations last week, with Siwaphiwe Nxusani being crowned the winner in the individual fitness challenge while his colleague Jason Griffiths ended in third place.
Nxusani and Griffiths excelled in the individual fitness challenge for men between the ages of 20 and 30, which was part of the IFFD celebrations hosted by the City of Cape Town at Athlone Stadium on Saturday 4 May.
International Firefighters’ Day is observed annually across the world to honour and pay tribute to firefighters for the risks they take and the hard work they do. It is also a day in which current, past and fallen firefighters can be honoured for their contributions.
The event in Athlone featured various displays of vehicles and tools as well as demonstrations of firefighting and rescuing techniques. Visitors were able to interact with emergency-services staff and even have a crack at some of the fitness challenge tasks.
The firefighter fitness competition was definitely one of the highlights of the day.
Besides taking first place in the individual fitness challenge for men between 20-30, rookie firefighter Nxusani, who participated for the first time this year, was also crowned as the overall winner of the competition.
The competition involved a gruelling series of exercises which tested skill, strength and discipline while following proper procedure and safety regulations.
Nxusani started as a Chrysalis intern and is currently part of the municipality’s contract firefighters under the mentorship of firefighter Suzaan Stanley-Louw.
Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, congratulated Nxusani for winning the individual fitness challenge, saying: “It is a remarkable achievement and a very good example to all the Chrysalis interns that hard work and dedication will bring good results.
“The whole Overstrand is celebrating with the Protection Services Directorate to mark your victory, and I am proud of you all.”
Rabie said while activities on International Firefighters’ Day focus on the camaraderie among the men and women who serve to protect, it also allows the public the opportunity to show respect for firefighters across the world and recognise the selfless sacrifices firefighters have to make in the line of duty.
She praised the Overstrand firefighters and core emergency services for their willingness to assist to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible.
