HUNDREDS of sports stars, sports administrators, sports officials, journalists and political leaders gathered at the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha during the 2022 Achievers Awards’ glittering function on Friday.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Executive Mayor, Eugene Johnson, who delivered welcoming remarks, stated that sport was a powerful means towards nation building and social cohesion and towards reflecting who the people of South Africa as a proud nation are.
Johnson said, “Sport is an important medium that has the capacity of inspiring our youth with the morals and values that we would like to see in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, sport has a significant role to play in the social and moral regeneration process, as well as the overall well-being of communities.”
The newly–appointed MEC of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, said, “The COVID-19 outbreak affected sport and recreation badly, as spectators were not allowed to watch games in stadiums. We remained positive throughout that period that the sun would shine one day and life would be back.”
Premier Oscar Lubabalo Mabuyane revealed that all the Eastern Cape players and technical officers who represented South Africa during the Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco would be given R100 000 each by the Eastern Cape government.
The Nelson Mandela Bay had more winners than other regions. The electronic media presenter of the year category winner went to SABC Nelson Mandela Bay presenter, Zolani Bongco, who is a television and radio star, focusing on cricket, boxing, rugby and soccer. Print media journalist of the year award went to PE Express correspondent, Selby Madikane.
The sports star of year award and sportswoman of the year award went the Border Women’s Rugby team captain, Lusanda Dumke, who received a brand-new VW Vivo Polo, courtesy of Joma Sport. Dumke could not attend the function, as she was part of the Springbok women’s team in Potchefstroom. Chris Hani women’s rugby coach, Nwabisa Ngxatu, won the coach of the year award. Joe Gqabi athletics star, Luxolo Adams, was named sportsman of the year.
Other Awardees (Nelson Mandela Bay only):
- MEC excellence awards: Nomsebenzi Tsotsobe (women’s rugby); Melikhaya Frans (athletics); and Isaac Klaas (soccer)
- Legends awards: Daniel Alexander Jordaan (football); Johnson Kula (football); Nceba Dladla (boxing); and Temba Ludwaba (rugby)
- Recreation volunteer awards: Nwabisa Mahlahla (indigenous games)
- Technical official of the year: Mthobeli Vena (judo)
- Golden age sportsman of the year: Andre Ludik (powerlifting)
- Golden age sportswoman of the year: Josina Els (athletics)
- Administrator of the year: Sondisa Magajana (judo)
