In the world of fencing, we often talk about courage, strategy, and perseverance. But in South Africa’s Limpopo province, these values have taken on a whole new meaning through the E tla Natšo Project — an inspiring initiative whose name in Sepedi means “Bring it on”.

What the project is about

At its heart, the E tla Natšo Project is about bringing fencing into places where sporting opportunities are almost non-existent. In small villages and rural schools, where children often have little access to structured activities, fencing becomes not just a sport but a gateway to growth. Coaches and volunteers work directly with these communities, introducing the discipline of fencing and offering young people the chance to train, compete, and dream beyond the boundaries of their immediate surroundings.

A Milestone Worth Celebrating

In 2024, the project celebrated its first national medal when Jonathan Mathete climbed the podium at the Junior Nationals. For the young fencers of Limpopo, this wasn’t just a medal — it was proof that their dreams were valid, their training mattered, and their place in the sport was real.

But the project’s true victories can’t be measured in medals alone. They are found in the look on a child’s face when they try on a mask for the first time, in the friendships formed across villages, and in the growing confidence of young athletes who learn to stand tall — on and off the piste.

Fencing as a Force for Change

Through E tla Natšo, fencing has become more than just a sport. It’s a tool for:

• Building discipline, resilience, and strategic thinking
• Enhancing education through sport-integrated learning
• Creating pathways to national and international opportunities
• Fostering belonging and purpose in communities where opportunities are scarce

This is fencing at its most powerful — not just shaping athletes, but shaping lives.

Breaking Down Barriers

One of the greatest challenges for new clubs, especially in rural areas, is access to equipment and infrastructure. That’s where innovation plays a role. Today, technology like the Calibur wireless scoring system makes it easier than ever to bring fencing to places without traditional setups. Without the need for complex cabling or expensive scoring machines, a club can start small — in a school hall, a community center, or even outdoors — and grow from there.

It’s exactly this kind of accessibility that allows projects like E tla Natšo to take root, flourish, and inspire.

Why We Should All Be Proud

As fencers, we should take pride in knowing that our sport is expanding into new territories, reaching young people who might never have dreamed of stepping onto a piste. Every foil, épée, and sabre bout fought in Limpopo’s rural schools is a testament to fencing’s universal appeal — and a reminder that our sport thrives when it belongs to everyone.

So to the team at the Limpopo Fencing Association: E tla Natšo. Bring it on. The fencing world is watching — and cheering you on.

How to support the project?

Taking fencing to rural areas is not just about sport—it’s about equity, transformation, and hope. But it cannot be done it alone. Your can contribute to:

• Provide coaching, equipment, and training facilities
• Support travel to national competitions (which are often prohibitively expensive)
• Offer mentorship and academic support alongside athletic training
• Ensure that no fencer is left behind due to financial constraints

By partnering with LFA for the E tla natšo project, supporters become part of a powerful movement for change—one that is redefining who gets to participate, excel, and lead in sport and society.

Contact:  Chairperson of LFA: Dr Renuka Ramroop

limpopofencingassociation@gmail.com  or +27 828729592

The Calibur community brought the energy, the creativity, and plenty of laughs in our first-ever Video Contest! We were amazed by the variety of entries — from epic mountain fencing to clever training ideas and comedy gold.

After reviewing all your awesome submissions, we’ve selected the three winning videos that stood out the most based on uniqueness, video quality, and reach.

🎬 Winning Entries

1. Peter Wall – Some things you can only do wireless...

When we first saw the thumbnail for the video, we thought someone had misunderstood the contest and wanted to showcase their fence on their ranch. Then we couldn't stop laughing...

📺 Watch the video:

2. Skyward Fencing – Fencing around

Great edit, funny theme, and above all, it reminded us why we do what we do. We love to see the fun in fencing!

📺 Watch the video:

3. Roberta Nordio – Free to Beep!

Who needs a fencing hall, when you have beautiful seasides and gardens, or even your living room to practice?

📺 Watch the video:

💬 A Big Thank You

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. Your creativity showed the true spirit of wireless fencing and made this event something special. We're excited to feature your videos in our upcoming campaigns — and stay tuned, because more contests are coming!

Missed the giveaway? Get your Relay now!

Are you ready to show the world how you fence without limits? Here’s your chance to get creative, go wild, and win one of three Relay units — our cutting-edge accessory that takes your Calibur experience even further!

We’re launching the Calibur Video Contest — and we want to see your best, most impressive videos featuring the Calibur system in action.

🥇 What You Can Win

We’re giving away one Relay unit to the winner of each category:

• Spectacular — Take your fencing somewhere incredible: a mountain peak, a castle rooftop, a landmark! Wow us with the backdrop.
• Creative — Show how you’re using Calibur’s wireless freedom to level up your training in ways no one expects.
• Funny — Make us laugh with fencing bloopers, clever concepts, or unexpected twists.

📹 How to Enter

1. Record a video of yourself or your team using the Calibur system.
2. Pick the category that fits best (Spectacular, Creative, or Funny).
3. Submit your video using [this form].
4. Bonus points: Post your video publicly on your social media (Instagram, Facebook) and tag @Calibur.Fencing!

Multiple submissions are welcome, but each video can only compete in one category.

🎁 A Gift for Every Participant

Everyone who submits a video will receive a 20% discount for their next pocket box purchase!

Note: This discount cannot be combined with other offers or promotions.

🏆 How We Pick Winners

Our panel will judge the entries based on:

• Uniqueness — Stand out from the crowd!
• Video Quality — Good lighting, clear sound, engaging content.
• Social Reach — Get bonus points for sharing your video publicly and tagging us.

📜 A Few Important Notes

By submitting your video, you agree that we can use it for marketing purposes (website, social media, ads). Only participate if you’re happy for your content to be featured!

Submissions close on 15th of July 2025— don’t miss out!

Ready to roll? 🎥 Grab your Calibur, get inspired, and show us what you’ve got!

This past weekend, our team had the incredible opportunity to attend the Budapest Épée Grand Prix, one of the most prestigious events on the international fencing calendar. Surrounded by some of the world’s top athletes, coaches, and fencing enthusiasts, we showcased the Calibur wireless scoring system and connected with the community we’re proud to serve.

Bringing Calibur to the Strip

We set up a test piste right next to the action, giving fencers, coaches, and referees the chance to experience Calibur firsthand. Throughout the weekend, we ran live demonstrations, walking visitors through the features of our system and answering tons of great questions.

National team athletes, club fencers, and referees all stepped in to test Calibur—and the reactions were overwhelmingly positive. Many were impressed by the system’s wireless flexibility, easy setup, and low-latency hit detection. The integration with our mobile app also caught attention, especially among coaches looking for smart tools to enhance training.

Connecting with Fencing Professionals

Beyond the test piste, the event was a great networking opportunity. We met fencing club owners, national federation representatives, and potential distributors—all curious to learn more about what Calibur can offer. These new connections open exciting possibilities for future collaborations and pilot programs.

What’s Next?

Walking away from the Grand Prix, we’re more motivated than ever. Events like this remind us why we started building Calibur in the first place: to create a modern, flexible, and accessible scoring system that grows with the sport.

We’ll be working closely with some of the clubs and athletes we met, continuing to test, refine, and expand Calibur’s capabilities. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, tried the system, and shared their thoughts. We’ll see you at the next competition!

Do you already have your own set of Calibur pocket boxes?

Send a mail to roland@caliburfencing.com if you want to

• Make and order and pick it up at the competition instead of having it shipped
• Come and test the devices
• Record social media content together
• Meet us personally, because fencing is also about making friends 😉

Make your order before arriving and pick it up at the GP!