8 April 2025 - Written By
Before we dive into the heat of the action, the League of Fire would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsor for this historic first ever AFRICA BELT MATCH – Bean’s Hot Sauce. This American start-up artisan sauce company is already making waves in the hot sauce world. Founder David put it perfectly:
“IT WAS ALL A DREAM. It all began with a dream and a love for hot sauce. Through God’s blessings, we turned the dream into reality.”
We also wish to sincerely thank the brilliant minds and tireless hands behind Cape Town’s legendary Festival of Fire – Judy Smith and Stephen Lague – whose passion and dedication have helped build one of the most explosive and exciting chilli festivals on the planet.
Judy Smith & Stephen Lague with current LOF World Champion Stephen Curgan (right) at The Ostrich for the Festival Of Fire.
The UK Chilli Queen joined by South African Chilli Eating Legend Gary ‘Scorpion Slayer’ Concar (centre) and his friends and family in a VIP Cabana at the Festival Of Fire at The Ostrich.
Official LOF Poster for the first ever AFRICA BELT MATCH.
🌶 A Blazing Debut for League of Fire Africa
On Saturday, 29th March 2025, history was made. The newly established League of Fire Africa, working alongside the global League of Fire team, hosted the first-ever official African Chilli Eating Championship to crown a continental champion! The stunning venue – The Ostrich, located just outside the vibrant city of Cape Town – played host to this fiery spectacle.
Just before close after a long and wonderful Festival Of Fire at The Ostrich near Cape Town!
Iconic ‘Natural Wonder Of The World’ Table Mountain, Cape Town.
(left to right: Lousie Concar, Judy Smith, UK Chilli Queen & LOF Africa Belt Match competitor Tania De Kock with Table Mountain in the background.
To mark the momentous launch, none other than UK Chilli Queen Shahina Waseem and League of Fire co-founder Paul Ouro made the journey to South Africa. In the build up to the event, both were able to look around the beautiful city and visit multiple locations, armed with flyers to do some last-minute promotional work for the festival! It included a day at Aquila Private Game Reserve to get up close and personal with some beautiful creatures.
Rhinos at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
‘The Bird’ LOF World Title Belt at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Current LOF World Champion Stephen Curgan with his wife and Jumbo in the background – at Aquila Private Game Reserve.
Also, Shahina, Paul and Festival Of Fire organiser Judy Smith, spent a morning at Cape Talk Radio to further get the word out: The BIGGEST and BEST chilli carnival was happening the next weekend, after all!
Judy Smith and UK Chilli Queen with the lovely people at Cape Talk Radio, Cape Town.
🎙 Catch Shahina, Paul, and Judy Smith on Cape Talk Radio.
🇿🇦 Cape Town – A City of Fire and Flavour
Cape Town, known as the Mother City, is a melting pot of culture, history, and cuisine. Nestled between the iconic Table Mountain and the wild Atlantic Ocean, it’s a city that has long embraced bold, spicy flavours. From peri-peri chicken to Cape Malay curries, the city’s vibrant food scene is alive with heat and heritage – making it the perfect setting for the birth of LOF Africa.
A beautiful Cape Town coastal sunset.
Exquisite South Africa Cuisine at GOLD Restaurant, Cape Town.
The Festival of Fire highlighted the very best of this tradition, showcasing some of South Africa’s finest chilli producers, with one special vendor travelling all the way from Namibia.
UK Chilli Queen with NAMIB CHILLI who travelled from Namibia to be at the Festival Of Fire.
UK Chilli Queen with famous South African chilli brand: Johnny Hexburg.
🌶 The Contest: An African Inferno
The contest itself was nothing short of legendary. The heat level was so intense, the original pepper menu had to be adjusted mid-contest as the competitors simply refused to give in. What was intended to be a brutal challenge turned into an endurance showdown, with three competitors battling far beyond expectations, until there was no option but to have a ‘Death Race’ finale!
(left to right) Competitors Kurt, Robin and Shane.
(left and centre) Denita watches on as Tania holds up two peppers with the new ‘Green & Gold Bird’ Africa Title Belt in the foreground.
Festival Of Fire owner becomes ‘Chilli-Hand’. Judy Smith serves up a round of peppers. (left to right) Competitors Christopher, Royce & Zander.
Jas is a famous chilli farmer in SA. He provided the wonderful peppers for the event and also expertly became the contest DJ! He owns Kadipore Farms.
Competitor Sean looking too happy, holding an Aji Amarillo pepper in one of the milder rounds.
🔥 The Final Three:
- Tania De Kock
- Duncan Forssmann
- Royce McCain
Only one could take home the belt.
🎖 The victor? Royce McCain, who had travelled from his home in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, emerged triumphant and was crowned the first ever League of Fire Africa Belt Holder!
The first ever LOF Africa Champion! Royce McCain, with the UK Chilli Queen.
🏆 But That Wasn’t All…
As if that wasn’t enough spice for one day, the event also featured a second Main Event – the first ever LOF World Title Match held on African soil!
This saw a jaw-dropping clash between Stephen ‘Fiery Redd’ Curgan and South Africa’s own undefeated chilli hero, Gary ‘Scorpion Slayer’ Concar. Hosted once again by the indomitable UK Chilli Queen, this brutal duel pushed both men to their limits.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll discuss the thrilling World Title match in full detail.
🌍 A New Chapter Begins
The League of Fire Africa has officially arrived – and it has burst onto the scene with unforgettable heat, heroism and heart. With champions now crowned and the fire spreading across the continent, one thing is clear: Africa is ready to take its place on the global chilli stage.
🔥 From Cape Town to the World – the fire is rising.
