Mpumalanga sportsmen and -women commended
The MEC for culture, sports and recreation, Thandi Shongwe, said one of the objectives of the DCSR is to recognise local talent and honour them at home before they are recognised internationally.
The Airlink Pumas and Reney Raven made a clean sweep at the annual Mpumalanga Sports Awards at Emnotweni on Sunday September 18.
The Pumas were the Team of the Year and Sports Union of the Year, and the Pumas coach, Jimmy Stonehouse, received the award for Coach of the Year.
The visually impaired karate athlete, Raven, scooped the awards for Sportswoman of the Year, Sportswoman with a Disability of the Year and the People’s Choice Sports Star of the Year, as voted for by the public.
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The award for Sports Fan of the Year, also voted for by the public, was taken home by the soccer enthusiast, Tonight Mashigo.
It was a night full of joyous celebrations as more top athletes and administrators received the special accolades for their exceptional contribution in the different sporting codes for this year.
The Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation (DCSR) awarded special awards to the sports doctor Thulani Ngwenya, Mpumalanga Sunbirds’ coach, Thembisile Ngwenya, Banyana Banyana assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli, Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Rigirl Ngobeni, and sports administrator and now Royal AM CEO, Sinky Mnisi.
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The Legends Awards were received by former Ligwalagwala FM sports presenter, now with RISE fm, Shukuma Lukhele, and Shando Mbonani.
The DCSR MEC’s Awards were grabbed by Lucas Thwala and the boxing legend and boxing SA manager in Mpumalanga, Oupa Lubisi.
Janko Erasmus scooped the Newcomer of the Year Award and the Sports Woman of the Year Award was taken home by Shanese de Clerck.Melony Degenaar took home the Admin of the Year Award while Throne Msibi received the Sports Man of the Year Award.
The MEC for culture, sports and recreation, Thandi Shongwe, said one of the objectives of the DCSR is to recognise local talent and honour them at home before they are recognised internationally.
“We are proud of all the winners and all those who were nominated. This is a celebration, because everyone is a winner, and we believe this is a motivation to more young aspiring athletes that hard work does eventually pay off.”
