Unsung heroes join big names at SA Sport Awards
SWIMMING sensation Chad le Clos is the South African sports star of the year.
Le Clos pocketed a staggering R1million and also took home a new BMW3 Series at the glittering 2012 South African Sports Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, last night.
It was a well-deserved victory for amiable Le Clos after a breathtaking display at the 2012 London Olympics where he won two medals - gold and silver.
That included the famous victory where he defeated the great Michael Phelps.
Voted by the South African public, Le Clos beat other top athletes like 2011 winner Hashim Amla, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Natalie du Toit.
"I can't tell you what an honour it is to win this award," said a visibly excited Le Clos with tears of joy.
"To everybody in South Africa, thank you very much. You guys are incredible. God bless."
The event attracted politicians like Tokyo Sexwale and Thabang Makwetla. It was the night to remember as music icon Sello "Chicco" Twala made a rare appearance on stage - this time performing with new kid on the block Olerah, whom the singer-turned-producer described as a future music diva.
Twala had almost everybody in stitches when he said he reluctantly came out of a long self-imposed exile "because it's a bad day for me as my favourite soccer club Orlando Pirates lost". He was referring to Pirates' penalty loss against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout match earlier in the day.
Other big names in the music industry who performed last night included Lira, PJ Powers, Kelly Khumalo, Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho Mabuse and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Renowned tennis star Venus Williams, who was in the country to raise funds for a women's charity organisation, also took to the stage to present one of the awards.
Boxing legend Elijah "Tap Tap" Makhathini, former Springbok star Joost van der Westhuizen, veteran sports administrators Petros Molemela and Sam Ramsamy [though not all in attendance] were awarded the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award from Deputy President Kgalema "Wizard" Motlanthe.
The Shield of Jove Award was presented to swimmers Natalie du Toit and Le Clos by Motlanthe.
Olympic silver medallist in the women's 800m Caster Semenya won sportswoman of the year and cricketer Vernon Philander was named sportsman of the year.
Oscar Pistorius won sportsman of the year with disability and Du Toit walked away with the sportswoman of the year with disability award.
Sydney Seshibedi of The Times was sports photographer of the year. Velile Mbuli of the SABC was sports reporter of the year.
As part of the awards, Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula honoured sports greats like Teenage Dladla, Blanche Moila and Mathews Motshwarateu (posthumously) with the Andrew Mlangeni green jacket on Saturday.
"We don't roll out the red carpet for mediocrity, but champions who have made our country proud," Mbalula said.
Honouring our sport stars
Unsung heroes join big names at SA Sport Awards
SWIMMING sensation Chad le Clos is the South African sports star of the year.
Le Clos pocketed a staggering R1million and also took home a new BMW3 Series at the glittering 2012 South African Sports Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, last night.
It was a well-deserved victory for amiable Le Clos after a breathtaking display at the 2012 London Olympics where he won two medals - gold and silver.
That included the famous victory where he defeated the great Michael Phelps.
Voted by the South African public, Le Clos beat other top athletes like 2011 winner Hashim Amla, Siyabonga Nomvethe and Natalie du Toit.
"I can't tell you what an honour it is to win this award," said a visibly excited Le Clos with tears of joy.
"To everybody in South Africa, thank you very much. You guys are incredible. God bless."
The event attracted politicians like Tokyo Sexwale and Thabang Makwetla. It was the night to remember as music icon Sello "Chicco" Twala made a rare appearance on stage - this time performing with new kid on the block Olerah, whom the singer-turned-producer described as a future music diva.
Twala had almost everybody in stitches when he said he reluctantly came out of a long self-imposed exile "because it's a bad day for me as my favourite soccer club Orlando Pirates lost". He was referring to Pirates' penalty loss against Bloemfontein Celtic in the Telkom Knockout match earlier in the day.
Other big names in the music industry who performed last night included Lira, PJ Powers, Kelly Khumalo, Sibongile Khumalo, Sipho Mabuse and the Soweto Gospel Choir.
Renowned tennis star Venus Williams, who was in the country to raise funds for a women's charity organisation, also took to the stage to present one of the awards.
Boxing legend Elijah "Tap Tap" Makhathini, former Springbok star Joost van der Westhuizen, veteran sports administrators Petros Molemela and Sam Ramsamy [though not all in attendance] were awarded the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award from Deputy President Kgalema "Wizard" Motlanthe.
The Shield of Jove Award was presented to swimmers Natalie du Toit and Le Clos by Motlanthe.
Olympic silver medallist in the women's 800m Caster Semenya won sportswoman of the year and cricketer Vernon Philander was named sportsman of the year.
Oscar Pistorius won sportsman of the year with disability and Du Toit walked away with the sportswoman of the year with disability award.
Sydney Seshibedi of The Times was sports photographer of the year. Velile Mbuli of the SABC was sports reporter of the year.
As part of the awards, Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula honoured sports greats like Teenage Dladla, Blanche Moila and Mathews Motshwarateu (posthumously) with the Andrew Mlangeni green jacket on Saturday.
"We don't roll out the red carpet for mediocrity, but champions who have made our country proud," Mbalula said.
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