SA Army Fittest Soldier Competition 2025: Prize Giving: A Triumph of Perseverance

Karen Scheepers
3 hours ago
3 min read

On Friday night, 05 September 2025, the grounds of 4 Artillery Regiment glowed with pride, unity, and jubilation as the seventeenth South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition reached its grand conclusion. After enduring six days of relentless tests, culminating in the grueling 20km Endurance Walk that very morning, competitors, instructors, and dignitaries gathered for the Prize Giving Ceremony.

The atmosphere inside the unit’s Mess was alive with celebration. Soldiers stood tall, weary yet radiant with achievement, as medals and trophies were presented to the finest among them. The night became more than a formal close to a competition; it was a tribute to perseverance, discipline, and the spirit of the South African Army.

Chief of the Army’s Keynote

Words of Honour

The evening’s keynote was delivered by Lieutenant General L.K. Mbatha, Chief of the South African Army, whose words resonated deeply across the assembled ranks. “This event has been a major milestone in our pursuit of excellence, and I am immensely proud to see a level of talent and dedication on display.”

He spoke of the teamwork and unity that defined the competition, commending the soldiers who supported each other across every obstacle: “You have worked together like a well-oiled machine, supporting each other every step of the way.”

His remarks encapsulated the week’s journey, a fusion of hardship, camaraderie, and triumph.

The Champions of 2025

Individual Category Winners

The most anticipated announcement of the evening was the crowning of the competition’s top performers:

Fittest Soldier 2025 – Female:🥇 Private N.Z. Ntshangase from the National Ceremonial Guard
Fittest Soldier 2025 – Male:🥇 Private S.I. Mahlangu from the South African Army Training Formation
Fittest Soldier 2025 – Overall Results:🥇 1st – Private N.Z. Ntshangase, National Ceremonial Guard🥈 2nd – Sergeant O.G. Morifi-Hollander, 10 SA Infantry Battalion🥉 3rd – Private U. Magalakanqa, 10 SA Infantry Battalion

Private Ntshangase’s double triumph, as both female and overall champion, cemented her name in the annals of the competition, while Private Mahlangu’s victory in the male category underscored the rising talent across the formations.

Recognition and Support

The South African Army Foundation once again played a central role, sponsoring both the competition and the prestigious prizes. Their support highlighted the Army’s commitment to nurturing excellence at every rank, reinforcing the ethos that achievement in uniform is both recognised and rewarded.

A Cultural Celebration

The ceremony was more than medals and speeches. Zulu traditional dancers from 121 South African Infantry Battalion in Mtubatuba ignited the hall with rhythm and pride, their performance adding cultural vibrance to the evening.

Behind the scenes, the Signalers ensured audiovisual precision, while Army Corporate Communication narrated the proceedings with clarity, bringing every achievement to life for those present. This seamless collaboration reflected the Army’s broader ethos, excellence in every task, whether on the field of sport, culture, or communication.

Reflections of a Defining Week

The Prize Giving was a fitting culmination of six extraordinary days:

The anticipation of the Day 1 briefing.
The ceremonial unity of the Day 2 Opening Parade.
The grit of the 2.4km runs, push-ups, sit-ups, swimming protocol, shuttle runs, and the Bronco Test.
The sheer power of the Strongman Challenge and the tactical demands of the Artillery Surprise.
The technical precision required in the Land Obstacle Course and Functional Fitness Test.
The endurance of the 3.2km Battle Run, the teamwork of the Gun Run, and the relentless 20km march that closed the competition.

Each event became a chapter in a story of perseverance, where soldiers pushed beyond limits to embody readiness and resilience.

Final Word: Until 2026

The 2025 South African Army Fittest Soldier Competition closed not with exhaustion, but with pride. Competitors left the Mess that night with medals around their necks and a deeper bond forged through sweat, strain, and spirit.

Lieutenant General Mbatha’s call to “push ourselves to new heights and strive for excellence in everything we do” became the lasting refrain of the evening. With eyes now turning toward 2026, this year’s competition will be remembered as a triumph of perseverance, where every soldier, winner or not, stood taller for having faced the test.