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You are at:Home»NEWS»Soldiers battle for ‘Fittest Soldier’ honour
NEWS

Soldiers battle for ‘Fittest Soldier’ honour

Annual Fittest Soldier Competition visits Makhanda for the first time
'OdidiBy 'OdidiJune 29, 2023Updated:June 29, 2023No Comments4 Mins Read
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Soldiers at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla

By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla

Though the weather was cold, soldiers kept their bodies and spirits warm by chanting songs of excitement at the 2023 South African Infantry Formation Fittest Soldier Competition. The annual competition was held this year from 19 to 22 June in Makhanda, hosted by Makhanda’s 6 South African Infantry Battalion (6 SAI Bn), a week filled with drilling activities and challenges that pushed soldiers to their limits.

6 SAI’s Lieutenant Colonel Brian Miller urged soldiers to enjoy the competition and encouraged them to cheer for their Comrades in Arms even if they were competing against each other. Acting Chief of Staff, Colonel M.S. Rampai reminded the soldiers that each of them was representing their units and should therefore raise the bar and represent them well. “(However), sportsmanship must not be neglected, fair game is the core of the business and most of all do not forget to enjoy, and have fun in the process,” said Rampai.

Acting Chief of Staff SA Army Infantry formation Col M.S. Rampai giving opening speech for Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Acting Chief of Staff SA Army Infantry formation Col M.S. Rampai giving opening speech for Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla

Fourteen units from KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape Mthatha, Oudtshoorn, Mpumalanga, Bloemfontein, Northern Cape, Gauteng, Cape Town, and Johannesburg took part in the competition which aims to help the South African Army to test if the infantry is combat ready. “We are a combat-ready landward force as the infantry. So by being combat ready, we mean to be fit,” said Pretoria-based Major Metja Evelyn Mashiane, Acting Staff Officer1 Infantry Formation Corporate Communication. “It’s in our DNA; you need to always be fit. The competition aims to boost morale. You can also use it as a medal tool for character and demeanour of a soldier. Within those different values that we carry like pride, integrity, honour, there’s a certain discipline within a soldier that you have to project and pose, and this is the testing point of it, she said.

Staff preparing field for Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Preparing the field for Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla.

Mokete Putlane from the Bloemfontein 44 Parachute Regiment was contesting for the third time. “It shows the potential, the skills that I have gained, and the limit I can go to. So that whenever there’s an actual battle that occurs, I know how far I can go. If I’m the leader, the subordinates, I will know your strengths… For me, this shows me who can I go to war with,” he said.

Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldiers participating at Fittest Soldier Competition. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla

Soldiers Maria Qwabe and Gaontebale Seletswane viewed it as a fun activity. “It’s enjoyable because we make friends and we target some people: you, I’m gonna beat you,” said Seletswane, from Bloemfontein 44 Parachute Battalion, who has participated since the competition began in 2014. The soldiers faced the grueling exercises head-on instead of backing away from the challenge. They exceeded their expectations, like soldier Sabelo Dunywa from the unit in Makhanda, who felt he was not ready for the competition but said he was very happy with his results. At the end of the competition, Rampai said “members had put their hearts and minds to the test. They gave their best”.

Sabelo Dunywa. Photo: 'Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Soldier Sabelo Dunywa. Photo: ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla
Winners of endurance test for ages of 25 to 49. Photo: Fahdia Msaka
Winners of endurance test for ages of 25 to 49. Photo: Fahdia Msaka
Lieutenant Colonel B. Miller. (third from left) giving certificate for overall team achievement. Photo: Fahdia Msaka
Lieutenant Colonel B. Miller (third from left) giving certificate for overall team achievement. Photo: Fahdia Msaka
44 Parachute Brigade from Bloemfontein receiving unit with best morale award. Photo: Fahdia Msaka
44 Parachute Brigade from Bloemfontein receiving unit with best morale award. Photo: Fahdia Msaka

A gala dinner was held on 22 June at the 6 SA Infantry Battalion mess to celebrate the winners: Private I. M. Ramalepe from 1 South African Infantry Battalion in Bloemfontein won the best overall Fittest female category, and Lieutenant Qingci from Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, won the best Male Fittest Soldier category. The winners are now set to go to the SA Army Fittest Competition to fight for the top spot. The gala dinner was a lively night filled with joy as soldiers celebrated the closing of the competition.

6 SA Army Infantry Battalion donating to Home of Joy. from the left, Councillor Xonxa, Colonel Rampai and Mama Margaret. Photo: Litha Nomana
6 SA Army Infantry Battalion donating to Home of Joy. From left, ANC Makana ward councillor Ramie Xonxa, Colonel M.S. Rampai, and Nomalungelo Margaret Ngcangca of Home of Joy orphanage, Makhanda. Photo: Litha Nomana.

Rampai also relayed her gratitude to the sponsors and units who donated sanitary towels, toiletries, school uniforms, shoes, and clothes to Makhanda’s Home of Joy orphanage. The orphanage was previously adopted by the 6 Sai Battalion. This was “a beautiful experience that brought tears to my eyes, literally,” said Rampai.

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