The night truly lived up to the theme "Night of the Stars"

WE HAVE returned from the international ceremony at the Sun City Superbowl where we honoured and praised those who deserved the awards.

It was the moment in time for all of us. The atmosphere was truly ecstatic and flamboyant, mixed with glitz and glamour as our legends of South African sport characterised the magic of the Superbowl, as the world's eyes and ears filtered through Sun City.

That was a never seen, never heard; that was the swag, the style, suede and swerve we promised our people, when we said we will celebrate excellence as portrayed by our athletes. That was the revolution. We have the honour and presence of the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe (who conferred the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award on Colonel Irvin Khoza, Dr Molefi Oliphant, Dr Danny Jordaan, Sensei Peter Thage and Ernie Els), and the former Rivonia Trialist Ntate Andrew Mlangeni, who was honoured on Friday, during the Andrew Mlangeni Legends Jacket Ceremony at Serengeti.

The black-tie affair, which had the crème-de-la crème, from politics, music, sport and business, was a true love affair that positioned the South African Sports Awards as the premier awards in the country.

It was a moment of international flair, where we blended local with international talent. We have raised the bar when it comes to the awards. We have introduced the King Protea Trophy, Andrew Mlangeni Legends Jacket and Legends Carpet in honour of our past and current athletes.

The Legends Carpet is a stage accorded to our athletes to show us their other side of life outside sport, especially in fashion, as they walk to the Superbowl.

We would like to applaud and thank the people of North West, especially premier Thandi Modise and MEC Hlomane Chauke, for their support in playing host to the awards.

The night truly lived up to the theme "Night of the Stars", when stars from all over the sporting and entertainment fraternity came in numbers to present and accept the awards, with the award of the night - the Sports Star of the Year - which was voted by the public and presented by Inaugural Andrew Mlangeni Legends Jacket recipient Lucas Radebe and Miss SA Bokang Montjane.

The awards ceremony was graced by the performances of the likes of US Superstar Brandy Norwood and local stars like Zakes Bantwini, Professor, Thandiswa Mazwai and many other stars. The awards were presented among others by international stars such as Lolo Jones, Vivica A Fox, Regina King and locals such as Sonia Sedibe, Sophie Ndaba, Gideon Sam, Joan Ramagoshi and Terry Pheto.

We would also like to thank Indyebo Consulting for the role they played in auditing and verifying the results.

Congratulations to the winners on the night and we wish all those who walked the Legends Carpet do it again next year as they continue the quest to walk off stage with the King Protea Trophy and a cheque. A message of congratulations was also received from Princess Charlene of Monaco.

• Mbalula is the Minister of Sports and Recreation