SARZA - Free State

02/06/2026

🎉 Happy 40th Birthday, F73 Armand! 🎉

Today we celebrate a true asset to our team, F73 Armand, our dedicated Vice Chairperson and Radio Officer, as he reaches the incredible milestone of 40 years!

F73, your commitment, leadership, reliability, and willingness to serve never go unnoticed. Whether coordinating communications, supporting operations, or helping guide the organization forward, you consistently lead by example and embody the values we strive for as a team.

Thank you for the countless hours, hard work, and passion you invest in our members and community. Your calm approach, technical expertise, and sense of humor make even the busiest operations easier to manage.

May this new decade bring you good health, happiness, success, and many more adventures both on and off duty. We look forward to many more years of working alongside you and creating great memories together.

Happy 40th Birthday, Armand! 🎂🎈🎁🥳

From all your friends and fellow members – thank you for everything you do. Enjoy your special day! 🚑📻🚔🎉

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Newbie F61 Lené! 🎉

Today we celebrate not only your birthday but also the incredible attitude and dedication you have shown since joining the SARZA family.

Although still new to the team, you have already demonstrated exceptional promise, a positive mindset, and a genuine willingness to learn. Your commitment to training, eagerness to develop new skills, and determination to push yourself further have not gone unnoticed.

Thank you for the energy and commitment you bring to the team. We are excited to see where your SARZA journey takes you and look forward to watching you reach new milestones in the months ahead.

May your year ahead be filled with success, adventure, learning opportunities, and many memorable moments.

Have an amazing birthday, Lené! 🥳

From your SARZA FS Family
"So Others May Live"

28/05/2026

Happy Birthday to RQ & Lejweleputswa Sub-Region Coordinator F28 Derick Claassen! 🎉🥳

Wishing you a fantastic day filled with happiness, laughter, good health and many more adventures ahead. Thank you for your dedication, commitment and the positive impact you make as part of the SARZA family. May the year ahead bring safe travels, great memories, success in all you do and plenty of reasons to smile.

Enjoy your special day Derick — may it be as legendary as the stories around the fire! 🍻🔥🚙

26/05/2026

🚨 SARZA FREE STATE VOLUNTEER INTAKE 🚨

YOUR 4x4 SKILLS CAN HELP SAVE LIVES

Do you enjoy off-roading, overlanding, navigation, recovery driving, camping, or exploring the backroads of the Free State?

SARZA Free State is looking for volunteers to join our land-based Search & Rescue team.

From remote farm roads and open veld to mountain passes and rural communities — our teams respond where help is needed most.

✅ No rescue qualifications needed – full training provided
✅ Develop practical 4x4 & off-road recovery skills
✅ Learn navigation, communications & field operations
✅ Be part of a professional volunteer rescue team
✅ 4x4 ownership is helpful, but NOT essential

Whether you want to assist in the field, support operations, help with logistics, communications, medical support, or simply become part of something meaningful — there’s a place for you in SARZA Free State.

📍 Serving communities across the Free State
📍 Real training. Real teamwork. Real impact.

Visit: https: https://www.sarza.co.za/join-us/ and complete the sign-up form.

📅 Volunteer Information Session: 26 June 2026

Come see what we’re about — you may just find your place in Search & Rescue.

24/05/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday to F77 Harry Pieters! 🎉

Today we celebrate not only your birthday, but also your dedication, commitment, and the incredible spirit you bring to the team as a valued MIT member.

Thank you for always being willing to step up, serve, and support others with pride and professionalism. Your hard work and loyalty do not go unnoticed.

May this new year ahead be filled with blessings, strength, good health, success, and many unforgettable moments both on and off duty.

Wishing you an amazing birthday and a fantastic year ahead!

Happy Birthday, Harry! 🥳🚨🔥

19/05/2026

13/05/2026

The man, the beard, the legend…

Happy birthday to F23 — Quinton, SARZA Free State’s Media and Communication Officer!

Ironically, for someone who’s always behind the camera, it’s surprisingly difficult to find a photo of him — a true testament to his dedication to capturing everyone else’s moments while staying out of the spotlight himself.

F23, thank you for the incredible effort you put into keeping SARZA Free State visible and thriving. Your work has played a huge role in growing awareness, and your time, energy, and passion for helping others never go unnoticed. Your humility, humanity, and commitment speak volumes, and you continue to inspire everyone lucky enough to be part of your circle.

May this new year bring you abundant blessings, exciting adventures, and continued growth as you chase your dreams and lead by example. We hope you’re properly spoiled today — you deserve it!

Happy birthday, F23! 🎉

11/05/2026

SARZA FS Training Weekend – Part 3 (Final)

The final part of this weekend was not about speed or intensity —
it was about focus, leadership, and decision-making.

After the climbs, rope work, and physical challenges, the team shifted into navigation and map work — learning that Search & Rescue is just as much about thinking clearly as it is about physical endurance.

A map, a compass, and a plan can make the difference between confusion and direction… between delay and rescue.

This weekend tested more than fitness.
It tested teamwork, discipline, communication, problem-solving, and trust in one another.

Every rope checked.
Every knot tied.
Every route planned.
Every lesson learned.

Training like this builds confidence before the real call ever comes.

SARZA Free State continues to grow stronger through every challenge, every kilometer, and every hour invested into becoming better rescuers.

Thank you to every member, instructor, and partner involved in making this training weekend a success.

Always training.
Always learning.
Always ready.

So others may live.

11/05/2026

During Saturday’s training, SARZA officially handed over call sign name badges to some members of the 1st Newbie batch of 2026.

Receiving an official call sign is a proud and important milestone within the team. A call sign is more than just a name badge — it represents commitment, trust, accountability, and the responsibility of serving alongside fellow volunteers during training and operations. It is an identity earned through dedication, teamwork, and the willingness to answer the call when help is needed.

From left to right:
• Driekert – F34
• Magda – F68
• Lazlo – F39
• Lené – F61
• Riaan – F88

We are proud of the progress each member has already made and look forward to seeing them continue to grow within SARZA.

Interested in joining SARZA and making a difference in your community? Click the link below to apply and become part of the team.

https://www.sarza.co.za/join-us/