Despite having lined up at the start of the Spirit of Africa challenge in years past, this year’s event marked a new chapter – not just for the competition, but for those of us lucky (and perhaps slightly masochistic) enough to be invited to the Media Participation Day. The 2025 edition of Africa’s toughest off-road challenge saw a significant change: the introduction of the new Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior as the official competition vehicle.
Anyone who’s participated in Spirit before knows that “gritty” is an understatement. This year, however, organisers appeared to have dialled things up to 11. The course at Sandwani Game Lodge in Gauteng was one of the toughest I’ve faced – a proper stress test for both driver and machine. And while the usual camaraderie among journos was alive and well, the competitive undertow was strong. No one said it out loud, but let’s be honest: we all wanted to come out on top.
The Media Challenge saw 22 journalists and influencers tackle 12 of the full 16-event Spirit itinerary – a mix of precision-based technical trials and full-throttle speed sections that left little room for error. Hit a pole and the penalty points stack up fast. My team finished in the top ten – a respectable effort, though not quite the podium finish we were gunning for. There’s always next year. And yes, the challenge is officially on.
Kudos to Brendon Staniforth and Oliver Keohane for clinching the win with 948 points. They clearly have nerves of steel – or possibly fewer near-misses than the rest of us.
THE WARRIOR RISES
This year’s Warrior – a locally-built, Aussie-engineered bruiser – proved a more-than-worthy partner in the dirt. Developed by Premcar and assembled at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant, the PRO-4X Warrior is one of the most capable bakkies currently (and quietly) prowling South African roads. It’s got the numbers – 140 kW and 450 Nm from a 2.5-litre turbodiesel – but it’s the chassis upgrades that shine in a competition like this. The reworked suspension, taller ride height, heavy-duty bash plate, and clever 4×4 wizardry meant the Warrior felt unflinching over jagged obstacles and just as composed through the speed tests.
LAST WORD
This year marks the 21st edition of the Spirit of Africa, initially founded by rally legend Sarel van der Merwe. The format hasn’t changed much: two-person teams push themselves (and their vehicles) through a variety of trials designed to showcase off-road finesse, decision-making under pressure, and sheer guts. What has changed is the Warrior’s entry – and it’s a change that elevates the whole event.
In a market where bakkies are often hyped into oblivion, the Navara PRO-4X Warrior quietly gets the job done. It’s tough, capable, and hugely underrated – a bit like the Spirit of Africa itself.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © SPIRIT OF AFRICA
