– Lifting Africa Magazine, in proud collaboration with the KZN Industrial Technology Expo (KITE), is thrilled to announce the winners of the highly anticipated Forklift Driver Competition, held from 22 to 24 July 2025 at the Durban Expo Centre.
After three action-packed days of intense competition, precision driving, and skilful manoeuvring, the top forklift drivers have emerged victorious, earning the title of South Africa’s best forklift operators.
Congratulations to the 2025 Winners:
🥇 1st Place – Ntokozo Biyea from Renisence Skills Training
Prize: R10,000 cash prize and trophy
Recognised for his exceptional accuracy, safety awareness, and time efficiency on the course.
🥈 2nd Place – Preshen Govender
Prize: R5,000 cash prize
Demonstrated outstanding control and consistent performance throughout the competition.
🥉 3rd Place – Malfetsane Phali from NTE Company (Pty) Ltd
Prize: R2,500 cash prize
Stood out for his steady pace and commitment to workplace safety standards.
The competition showcased the importance of legal compliance, safety awareness, and skilled forklift operation in industrial environments. Each participant was required to complete a comprehensive pre-check inspection followed by a challenging obstacle course, designed to simulate real-world warehouse and logistics scenarios.
“We are proud of every competitor who took part in this year’s event. The level of skill and professionalism displayed was truly inspiring,” said Surita Marx, Publisher of Lifting Africa Magazine. “Congratulations to our winners—you’ve set a high standard for forklift safety and excellence.”
A special thank you goes out to all sponsors, judges, and exhibitors who helped make the event a success. Plans are already underway for an even bigger competition in 2026!
