This year’s SA Sports Award prizes have been increased substantially with a R1m on offer of which half of it, would be contributed to the athletes charity of choice.
The Durban born whose father had his tears captured world-wide, is the favorite to win this hotly contested category.
He faces the likes of Chiefs and Bafana goalminder Itumeleng Khune, US Open Tennis wheelchair quad singles winner Lucas Sithole, Hashim Amla, Proteas player, 2011 winner and last year’s nominee and Soweto born athlete sensation Mapaseka Makhanya.
Regarded as our own ‘Grammy’s of Sport’ the awards ceremony will honour our stars at Sun City resort, Rustenburg on November 17, in the evening.
Yes, eyebrows were raised when the Paralympian Samkelo Radebe was excluded from the Sportsman of the Year with Disability category.
Radebe, who is completing his Law Degree this year at UJ, has been a revelation both locally and internationally.
“I’m happy for my fellow athletes who have been nominated and I will share with them the excitement it comes with being nominated,” he told Sowetolife Mag Online, gleefully at the awards nominees’ announcement yesterday.
“No hard feelings as the judges felt they deserve better”, continued Radebe, after being asked how it feels to be left out.
This year’s awards are held in partnership with the North West Provincial Government.
“This is the razzmatazz in action. We thank the federations for heightened participation in the nomination process and the judges for giving us the final product that will grace the red carpet and ultimately the Legends Carpet, to claim their prize.
The South African Sports Awards are about the athletes and we will jealously guard and protect the interest of the athlete,” says the Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula.
No talk of Beyonce, because I understand she’s coming next year for something different, says the Minister jokingly.
Nominees as submitted by adjudication panel from a list of more than 85 sporting figures/federations are as follows:
Administrator of the Year
Fran Hilton-Smith
Jurie Roux
Mimi Mthethwa
Sportsman of the Year
Itumeleng Khune
Hashim Amla
Cameron Van de Burgh
Sportsman of the Year with Disability
Ernst van Dyk
Hilton Langenhoven
Lucas Sithole
Sportswoman of the Year
Mapaseka Makhanya
Lee-Anne Pace
Mandisa Williams
Sportswoman of the Year with Disability
Ilse Hayes
Kgothatso Montjane
Roxy Burns
Team of the Year
SA Rugby
The Proteas
Kaizer Chiefs
Newcomer of the Year
Bianca Buitendag
Thato Tsomole
Giulio Zorzi
Coach of the Year
Heyneke Meyer
Holger Losch
Graham Hill
Volunteer of the Year
Ernesta Strydom
Zondisa Magajana
Zakes Mkhize
Indigenous Games of the Year
Simphiwe Maphumulo
Immeraan Malgas
Masego Mogapi
Photographer of the Year
Wessel Oosthuizen
Lefty Shivambu
Duif du Toit
Journalist of the Year
Jonathan Cook
Ramatsiyi Moholoa
Cheryl Roberts
School Team of the Year
Rosina Sedibane School
Sol Plaatjie High
Waterkloof High
Developing School Team of the Year
Daniye Primary School
Stellenzicht Secondary School
Khayelitsha U18 Boys Hockey Team
Federation of the Year
Cycling South Africa
South Africa Hockey
Swimming South Africa
Recreational Bodies
Sibusiso Vilane
702 Walk the Talk
Transplant
Sports Star of the Year
Itumeleng Khune
Chad Le Clos
Lucas Sithole
Hashim Amla
Mapaseka Makhanya
The public will vote for their favourite sporting heroes in the “The Sports Star of the Year Award”. To vote dial *120*8883# “Sports Star” followed by a letter A, B, C, D or E.
a) Itumeleng Khune
b) Chad Le Clos
c) Mapaseka Makhanya
d) Hashim Amla
e) Lucas Sithole
The USSD platform or innovation will be used for voting as it responds quicker than normal SMS, and allows for better display of categories.
Voting closes on the same evening of the awards November 17, Sunday at 21h30.
So, get voting for your favourite sport star!
For more information and interaction on the awards you can follow us on twitter via @ SASportsAwards or visit www.sasportsawards.com
