Akani Simbine has been crowned Sports Star of the Year at the 19th SA Sports Awards, with the three-time Olympian and South Africa’s greatest sprinter claiming the most prestigious individual honour at a glittering ceremony on Saturday night.
The 32-year-old athletics icon beat strong competition from Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma and Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx to secure the award that recognises the country’s outstanding sporting achievement across all codes.
Swimmer Pieter Coetze was named SA Sportsman of the Year, seeing off challenges from golfer Christiaan Maas and boxer Kevin Lerena, whilst athlete Prudence Sekgodiso claimed the SA Sportswoman of the Year award ahead of cricket star Laura Wolvaardt and canoeist Kira Bester.
Cricket South Africa enjoyed a dominant evening, winning both Federation of the Year and Team of the Year for the Proteas men’s Test side’s historic performance during the Proteas Test series. Athletics coach Thabo Matebedi was named Coach of the Year.
Paralympic stars honoured
The Paralympic community was well represented amongst the winners, with Simone Kruger and Puseletso Mabote claiming the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability and Sportsman of the Year with a Disability awards respectively in recognition of their para athletics achievements.
Youth excellence recognised
Rising athletics star Bayanda Walaza was named Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year, whilst the South African Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team claimed the Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year award.
Lifetime recognition
The prestigious Steve Tshwete Lifetime Recognition honours went to Veli Nhlapo, Selwyn Nathan, and Siya Vabaza-Booi for their outstanding contributions to South African sport over distinguished careers.
The Minister’s Excellence Recognition was awarded to Temba Bavuma, Mustapha Cassiem, Mzwandile Stick, Adriaan Wildschutt, Tasneem Solomons, and Rayno Nel.
The Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket recipients were Patson Banda, Prof. Mlungisi Ngubane, Teenage Dladla, and Willie Mtolo.
Media and officials honoured
In the media categories, Skhu Nkomphela was named Sport Visual Journalist of the Year, whilst Rachel Makhura claimed the Sports Media Journalist of the Year award.
Rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron won Technical Official of the Year, tennis administrator Anthony Moruthane was named Sport Administrator of the Year, and Nqobile Kunene received the Volunteer of the Year award for contributions to Rural Horse Racing.
The Khokho Association South Africa was named Recreation Body of the Year.
Full List of Winners
Sport Star of the Year: Akani Simbine (athletics)
Sportsman of the Year: Pieter Coetze (swimming)
Sportswoman of the Year: Prudence Sekgodiso (athletics)
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Puseletso Mabote (para athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Simone Kruger (para athletics)
National Federation of the Year: Cricket South Africa
Sport Team of the Year: Proteas Men’s Test Cricket
Coach of the Year: Thabo Matebedi (athletics)
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year: Bayanda Walaza (athletics)
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year: Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team
Volunteer of the Year: Nqobile Kunene (Rural Horse Racing)
Sport Administrator of the Year: Anthony Moruthane (tennis)
Technical Official of the Year: Aimee Barrett-Theron (rugby)
Recreation Body of the Year: Khokho Association South Africa
Steve Tshwete Lifetime Recognition: Veli Nhlapo, Selwyn Nathan, Siya Vabaza-Booi
Minister’s Excellence Recognition: Temba Bavuma, Mustapha Cassiem, Mzwandile Stick, Adriaan Wildschutt, Tasneem Solomons, Rayno Nel
Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket: Patson Banda, Prof. Mlungisi Ngubane, Teenage Dladla, Willie Mtolo
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year: Skhu Nkomphela
Sports Media Journalist of the Year: Rachel Makhura
