Three West Rand household names win big at Gauteng Sports Awards

Karate master Morgan Moss, world record holder Tatjana Schoenmaker and Paralympian Simone Kruger flew the West Rand flag high when they were announced Sportsman, Sportswoman and Most Promising Athlete of the Year respectively at this year’s 2021 Gauteng Sports Awards held on November 14.

For Morgan, the chief instructor and owner of the Morgan Moss Karate (MMK) dojo in Breaunanda this was a remarkable achievement having made the list of nominees alongside Proteas men’s captain Temba Bavuma and reigning SA Boxing Champion in the 57kg division, Miranda Malaika. Miranda was runner-up in the category, with Bavuma surprisingly finishing third.

It came as no surprise when Tatjana, a former Hoërskool Noordheuwel learner, was named the 2021 Gauteng Sportswoman of the Year after her incredible performances throughout the year that culminated in Olympic gold and silver, and a world and Olympic record.

Tatjana stunned the world when she achieved 2:20.17 in the 200m breaststroke at the SSA Swimming Grand Prix in Durban in April to post the fastest time in the world before heading into the Olympics. If ever there were any doubts that she was more than just a medal contender, then that time laid those to rest very quickly. It also came as no surprise when her coach, Rocco Meiring was handed the Coach of the Year award.

Paralympian Simone, a product of the Pierre Blignaut Shot Put and Discus Academy in Krugersdorp who finished fifth in the final of the women’s discus – F38 was named Most Promising Athlete of the Year against the likes of Kyle Blignaut and Caitlin Rooskrantz.

Matriculant wins big, Mahlangu cleans up at Gauteng Sports Awards

Matric student, Ntando Innocent Mahlangu bagged the Disabled Sportsman of the Year and the Sports Personality of the Year award.

Mahlangu was the obvious choice as Disabled Sportsman of the Year having won gold at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo this year. The double amputee won the 200m in the T61 category, clocking 23.59 sec, only slightly off his own world record of 22.92 sec set in Gqeberha in April this year. The 200m gold medal was a fitting end to the Games for Mahlangu after having won the long jump with a world record leap of 7.17m.

Mahlangu’s inspirational story also caught the attention of the South African public who voted in their numbers for the 19-year-old to be named Sports Personality of the Year. In 2012, at the age of ten, the decision was made to amputate after Mahlangu had spent most of his ten years in a wheelchair. At birth he was diagnosed with fibular hemimelia; a congenital condition that affected both his legs from the knee down. Children who have fibular hemimelia are born with a short or missing fibula (one of the two bones in the lower leg).

Lifetime Achievement Award goes to the Slashing Tiger

Every year, the Gauteng Sports Awards recognises an athlete, a coach, an administrator or an individual who has made a big impact in people’s lives through sport. In 2021 the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Johannes “Slashing Tiger” Sithembe who, through sport, was able to avoid a life of gangsterism and crime.

Sithembe joined the gym at the age of 19 to avoid the scourge of gangsterism in his neighbourhood. After turning professional in 1966 Sithembe promptly was crowned Transvaal Flyweight Champion. What followed was a lucrative and successful professional career with a world title shot in 1974.

After suffering an injury to his eye, a detached retina, Sithembe was forced into retirement.

Montjane, takes Disability Sportswoman title

There were no surprises when Kgothatso Montjane was voted as Sportswoman of the Year in the Disabled Sports Category.

Montjane has long been flying the flag for South Africa in wheelchair tennis and in 2018 she became the first black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon. 2021 was a phenomenal year for the 35-year-old, making the finals at Wimbledon in both the singles and doubles. She also progressed to the semi-finals of the other three Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open in the singles tournament.

Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Mbali Hlophe went on to thank the winners and nominees for their courageous efforts in trying times.

“We wish to congratulate all winners and finalists of this year’s Gauteng Sport Awards,” said MEC Hlophe.

“The last 20 or so months have been difficult for all in the sporting industry, especially the athletes and those who help them train. Therefore it has been a big pleasure and indeed a privilege to once again be able to reward our stars of today and tomorrow. Athletes are inspirational and make a big difference in uplifting society and for that they need to be recognised and rewarded. We hope that tonight’s awards have been able to go some way in making up for the last 18 months of challenge and hardship. Know that your efforts as athletes, coaches and administrators do not go unnoticed and for that we are grateful. Congratulations to all who were nominated and all who have received awards. We hope that tonight will have inspired a new generation of sports women and men.

There have certainly been some incredible performances from her feats in the pool that saw Tatiana Schoenmaker come back with two medals and a world record at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. To the evergreen KG Montjane who flies the flag very high on the international tennis circuit; we thank all of you for your efforts, dedication and the inspiration you have provided. Long may it continue and we wish you the very best for the future.”

The evening was wrapped up in stunning performances all round from the show hosts, Andile Ncube and Xoli Ngcobo to the artists including Oskido, Young Stunna, Kabza and Maphorisa, AKA, Costa Tich, Brenda Mtambo as well as Kamo Mphela and a troupe of dancers choreographed by Lee-che “Litchi” Janecke who dazzled the crowd.