Brendan Louw | Lentille NU

My Journey with SARZA

Start of 2024, I walked into a SARZA “Uitpak” session… Afrikaans for “unpack.” I thought I was there to talk drones. Instead, I found purpose.

The Uitpak session is something of a yearly ritual, every volunteer empties their gear onto the ground for review, learning, and sharing. It’s about preparedness. It’s also about readiness, mental and physical. I had come just to peek in, hoping to speak to SARZA’s seniors about using drones in search and rescue operations (which, by the way, is its own minefield of SACAA red tape and ever-shifting regulations). I realized early on, that talk would turn into something much bigger.

What I saw was a group of highly disciplined, uniformed volunteers prepping for a deployment in rough terrain, events and the unknown – fully kitted, focused, and driven. That energy, that purpose… it lit something in me. I’ve always loved the outdoors and always looked for ways to help. This brought the two together.

From Hiker to Member in Training

Not long after, I started attending more training days. During one of our training days, one thing led to another, and I found myself hiking up a nearby mountain during an actual rescue. Some members invited a few of us “newbies” to tag along, part observation, part stress test. As an avid hiker, I thought I’d breeze through it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The pace was brutal. The gear, heavier with every step. A few training sessions later, I found myself helping carry stretchers, real lives at stake, every step pushing myself past my known limits.

These experiences changed everything. I kept attending training sessions, committed, and today I’m proud to be a Member in Training (MIT). It’s been a serious investment, of time, effort, and energy. While some gear is subsidized, much of it is self-funded. But the knowledge gained? The experience? The people? That’s priceless.

The Skills That Save Lives

SARZA is a volunteer-run national search and rescue organization. The teams operate across South Africa (and sometimes abroad), each with different terrains, tools, and challenges. And the training is relentless, but inspiring. Training often takes place alongside official emergency services and other volunteer organizations, covering activities like:

Every deployment brings a new challenge and a new lesson. The knowledge shared across the SARZA community, from professionals in EMS, aviation, and police to off-grid navigation nerds, is staggering.

Where SARZA Has Stepped In

SARZA doesn’t sit back when disaster strikes. In 2024, they were instrumental in the George building collapse, with volunteers flown in across provinces to support the massive rescue efforts. They’ve also deployed internationally, from Mozambique after Cyclone Idai, to Turkey’s devastating earthquake, to earthquake responses in Japan and Haiti.

A Complimentary Gift

While much of our equipment is self-funded, there are moments of support that remind me we’re not doing this alone.

Recently, I reached out to a few companies hoping to get a discount on gear. To my surprise, Merrell, a well-known name in the outdoor adventure space, offered to send me a complimentary pair of shoes. I was honestly blown away. Not only because they’re a perfect match for the rugged terrain we work in, but because it felt like someone out there saw the value in what we do.

When the shoes arrived, I was genuinely impressed. The website doesn’t quite do them justice. In person, they’re beautifully made, light, supportive, and incredibly comfortable. Like walking on clouds reinforced with purpose. I can’t wait to put them to the test in the field.

Moments like these remind me that even small gestures of support can make a big difference. Whether it’s a pair of shoes, a tank of fuel, or simply someone sharing our story

A Call to Help the Helpers

Since my first introduction with SARZA, I’ve witnessed firsthand the dedication, sacrifice, and sheer grit that SARZA volunteers bring to every operation. From scaling mountains in the dead of night to managing helicopter landings or carrying stretchers through thick brush, every effort is driven by one thing, so others may live.

SARZA is 100% volunteer-based. The people you see responding to calls, braving floods or rappelling into ravines, they’re doing it on their own time, with their own gear, and more than often at their own cost.

If you’re in a position to sponsor, donate, or equip this organization, even something small, it makes a massive difference. Your support helps make sure the next team is trained, the next vehicle is fueled, and the next call is answered.

Because when someone’s life is on the line, there’s no time to wonder if the gear is ready. We just go.