WE indeed had a humdinger of a sporting week with the recognition of our sports stars from international and local bodies taking centre stage.
It was surely a week for rewarding excellence.
On Thursday, the South African Rugby Union bestowed awards on our most outstanding rugby players, and our most prolific try scorer Bryan Habana fittingly received the Player of the Year award for the third time - the other two being in 2005 and 2007 - becoming the first player ever to do so.
On Friday, the World Rowing Federation named the South Africa rowing team of John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain and James Thompson who won the gold medal at the London Olympics as the 2012 World Rowing Male Crew of the Year.
I had stated that we would ensure that this year's awards would be bigger and better and I hope we have lived up to that promise. It is through these events that we showcase to South Africa and the world our sons and daughters who continue to bring joy and pride to our nation. More importantly, we reward the efforts of our athletes and create positive role models for our youth to emulate.
Chad le Clos was undoubtedly the standout athlete of the evening, winning the Sports Star of the Year award, a whopping R1-million and a brand- new BMW 320i Sport Line. The awards for top sportsman and woman for both able-bodied and disabled athletes delivered the best we have: Vernon Philander, who has set the cricket pitches of the world alight with his bowling; Caster Semenya, who, after many challenges, came back to win a silver medal at the Olympics; Natalie du Toit, who was the sensation in the pool in London; and the blade runner, Oscar Pistorius, who ensured that our national anthem was the last to be sung in the Olympic Stadium by winning the 400m.
The reintroduction of the Shield of Jove at this year's sports awards to the most outstanding Olympian and Paralympian was the highlight of the ceremony, with Le Clos and Du Toit deserving winners.
It is often said that a nation that does not value its past has no future. We could therefore not have a successful sports awards ceremony without reminding ourselves of our past and to pay homage to those sport heroes and heroines who cleared the way for us. It was fitting to bestow Andrew Mlangeni Green Jackets on former greats such as Matthew "Loop en Val" Motshwarateu and Grant Khomo (both posthumously), Blanche Moila and Nelson Teenage Dladla.
The Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Papwa Sewgolum Sewsunker (posthumously), Elijah "Tap Tap" Makhathini, Sam Ramsamy, Joost van der Westhuizen, Petros Molemela and Sally Little. Every day new heroes and heroines are born and we must nurture, develop and acknowledge them.
- Mbalula is Minister of Sport and Recreation
Sports stars deserve red-carpet treatment
WE indeed had a humdinger of a sporting week with the recognition of our sports stars from international and local bodies taking centre stage.
It was surely a week for rewarding excellence.
On Thursday, the South African Rugby Union bestowed awards on our most outstanding rugby players, and our most prolific try scorer Bryan Habana fittingly received the Player of the Year award for the third time - the other two being in 2005 and 2007 - becoming the first player ever to do so.
On Friday, the World Rowing Federation named the South Africa rowing team of John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu, Matthew Brittain and James Thompson who won the gold medal at the London Olympics as the 2012 World Rowing Male Crew of the Year.
I had stated that we would ensure that this year's awards would be bigger and better and I hope we have lived up to that promise. It is through these events that we showcase to South Africa and the world our sons and daughters who continue to bring joy and pride to our nation. More importantly, we reward the efforts of our athletes and create positive role models for our youth to emulate.
Chad le Clos was undoubtedly the standout athlete of the evening, winning the Sports Star of the Year award, a whopping R1-million and a brand- new BMW 320i Sport Line. The awards for top sportsman and woman for both able-bodied and disabled athletes delivered the best we have: Vernon Philander, who has set the cricket pitches of the world alight with his bowling; Caster Semenya, who, after many challenges, came back to win a silver medal at the Olympics; Natalie du Toit, who was the sensation in the pool in London; and the blade runner, Oscar Pistorius, who ensured that our national anthem was the last to be sung in the Olympic Stadium by winning the 400m.
The reintroduction of the Shield of Jove at this year's sports awards to the most outstanding Olympian and Paralympian was the highlight of the ceremony, with Le Clos and Du Toit deserving winners.
It is often said that a nation that does not value its past has no future. We could therefore not have a successful sports awards ceremony without reminding ourselves of our past and to pay homage to those sport heroes and heroines who cleared the way for us. It was fitting to bestow Andrew Mlangeni Green Jackets on former greats such as Matthew "Loop en Val" Motshwarateu and Grant Khomo (both posthumously), Blanche Moila and Nelson Teenage Dladla.
The Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred on Papwa Sewgolum Sewsunker (posthumously), Elijah "Tap Tap" Makhathini, Sam Ramsamy, Joost van der Westhuizen, Petros Molemela and Sally Little. Every day new heroes and heroines are born and we must nurture, develop and acknowledge them.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos