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Thabazimbi archers bring home the glory

14 July 2025 · Platinum Bushvelder

Thabazimbi archers bring home the glory from ARFAC 2025!

Bullseye in Zambia!

Thabazimbi/ Zambia – Dusty trails, blazing sun, and muscle-burning inclines didn’t stop Thabazimbi’s finest from dominating the African Regional Field Archery Competition (ARFAC) 2025, held just outside Lusaka (Zambia) on 4, 5 and 6 July 2025 (Friday to Sunday).

Hosted every two years and featuring elite archers from Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa, this year’s tournament was both a test of endurance and a celebration of skill.

The South African contingent stood out — not just for their precision, but for their unity. Local archery legend Chris Welgemoed captained Team SA and walked away with Gold in Veteran Male Freestyle Unlimited (VMFU). Fellow Thabazimbi archer Jaco van Vuuren secured Bronze in the same category. HJ Swanepoel, known for his fierce determination, earned a Silver medal in Adult Male Freestyle Unlimited (AMFU), bouncing back after a challenging first day. Charles Bester clinched Gold in Veteran Male Bowhunter Unlimited (VMBU), proudly donning his first Protea cap. Rising junior Mardus Ras delivered a commanding performance to claim Gold in Junior Male Freestyle Unlimited (JMFU).

TEAM RESULTS – ARFAC 2025:

The South African freestyle team won a gold medal!
The South African bowhunter team won a silver medal!

The event’s three days of competitive shooting featured a Field Round (white/black targets), Hunter Round (black targets), and Animal Round (targets shaped like South African wildlife) — all set along Zambia’s tough, technical course with steep inclines and long treks.

With little more than tents and camaraderie, some athletes camped under the stars to keep costs down. Still, spirits remained high and stories aplenty. Archery is a self-funded sport, and these victories are proof of the passion and perseverance our athletes bring to every target.

To grow this sport and help young talent reach their potential, more funding from institutions and the private sector is crucial.

Team South Africa did us proud — on the podium, in the field, and in the hearts of every archer watching.

Main photo: The South African ARFAC 2025 team — male, female and youth — standing tall as Protea and Federation representatives.

MEET THE MEN BEHIND THE MEDALS… South Africa’s all-male ARFAC 2025 powerhouse, from left – Mardus Ras (JMFU), HJ Swanepoel (AMFU), Charles Bester (VMBU), Chris Welgemoed (SA Team Captain, VMFU), and Jaco van Vuuren (VMFU).

NEXT-LEVEL ARCHERY… Mardus Ras snapped this shot of a high platform — used to test archers’ skill and nerves with close-range targets from above.

CLIMBING TO CONQUER… Zambian archers Jackie Jackman (left) and Esmé Zeman (right) take on the feared uphill “Arrow Killer” at 60 yards — where precision meets sheer grit.