About
About us
Welcome to GX Slingshots — where we’re on a mission to keep slingshot shooting (or “kettie skiet,” as we proudly call it in South Africa) alive, thriving, and evolving for the next generation.
GX Slingshots was officially founded in May 2022, but the story started long before that.
I grew up in Luckhoff, a small Free State farming town, where a slingshot wasn’t something you bought — it was something you built. A group of farm kids (myself included) would search for the perfect forked branch, cut strips from old tractor tire inner tubes, shape pouches from animal hide, and craft our own ketties by hand. There were no online stores, no imported frames — just creativity, grit, and a deep love for the outdoors.
Winters were spent in the skuur (barn) with fires blazing. Days were filled with roaming the veld, searching for perfectly round stones, refining our aim, and learning lessons about patience, precision, and responsibility. It wasn’t just about hitting a target. It was about brotherhood, tradition, and adventure.
As the years passed and rural life gave way to city expansion, I realised something important: this heritage was fading.
GX Slingshots was born out of a desire not just to relive those memories — but to preserve and modernise the sport for South Africa and beyond.
Growing the Sport
Beyond building equipment, GX became part of something bigger.
I helped establish the South African Slingshot Federation (SASF) and serve as its president. SASF is proudly affiliated with the World Slingshot Association (WSA), giving South African shooters a pathway to compete and connect internationally.
Our goal is simple:
To build a structured, respected, and growing slingshot community in South Africa.
Strengthening GX – 2025 and Beyond
In 2025, GX entered an exciting new chapter when Dirk van Niekerk joined the brand.
Dirk is an avid adventurer with extensive knowledge in shooting sports and outdoor disciplines. Based in George, he now runs and represents the GX brand from the Southern Cape, expanding our national footprint and strengthening our community presence.
Dirk brings not only experience and technical understanding, but also a deep passion for responsible shooting, outdoor ethics, and skill development. His involvement marks a significant step in GX’s growth — combining heritage, sport structure, and real-world field experience.
Boasting with the GX Reaper and GX Apex Slingshots designed by Dirk, elevates GX Slingshots to international level, Dirk manages and produces our Youtube channel and educational videos.
GX is no longer just one man’s vision.
It is becoming an international movement.
What Makes GX Different
At GX Slingshots, we honour tradition while embracing innovation.
From recycled plastics to precision CNC frames, from classic fork designs to modern flat-band performance setups — we blend nostalgia with cutting-edge design. Every product we offer is chosen or developed with durability, performance, and sustainability in mind.
Whether you are:
A beginner discovering your first slingshot
A backyard target shooter
A hunter refining your skills
Or an athlete aiming for international competition
GX exists to support your journey.
Join the GX Slingshots community—your adventure awaits!
May your bands last forever, and your shots fly true!
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to make slingshot shooting accessible, enjoyable, and respected across South Africa.
We aim to:
Provide high-quality equipment
Educate shooters on safe and responsible practices
Build community through competitions and events
Preserve South African kettie heritage
Create pathways to international competition
We believe the thrill of the shot — the quiet focus, the release, the impact — connects generations. And we are committed to keeping that experience alive.
ON OUR BRANDS
Through Gorilla X and our broader GX platform, we are committed to sourcing and developing world-class slingshot equipment. We proudly support local builders, import top-tier international products, and create a platform where innovation and craftsmanship meet.
Our South African roots remain at the core of everything we do.
We believe slingshot shooting is more than a hobby — it is skill, discipline, tradition, and adventure combined.