Sun City, – South Africa’s top athletes, coaches, administrators, and media professionals gathered at the Sun City Superbowl for the 18th annual South African Sport Awards, a ceremony dedicated to honouring the nation’s sporting champions and trailblazers.
Themed “Celebrating Sporting Excellence,” this year’s awards recognised both established talent and emerging stars whose performances have inspired the country and strengthened South Africa’s global sporting reputation. Standout recipients included Tatjana Smith, who was named both Sportswoman of the Year and Sport Star of the Year for her achievements in swimming, and the 4x100m Men’s Team, awarded Team of the Year for their performance at the Paris Olympics.
Other notable winners reflected the breadth of South African sport:
Sportsman of the Year: Alan Hartherly (Cycling)
Sport Administrator of the Year: Pholetsi Moseki (Cricket)
Recreation Body of the Year: Made for More Zama (Para Surfing)
Sport Volunteer of the Year: Phuti Leolani (Football)
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year: Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year: SA U19 Tug of War Men’s Team
Sports Media Journalist of the Year: Palesa Manaleng
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year: Roger Sedres
Technical Official of the Year: Ernesta Strydom (Para Cycling)
National Federation of the Year: South African Rugby Union
Coach of the Year: Rocco Meiring (Swimming)
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability: Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability: Mpumelelo Mhlongo (Para Athletics)
The ceremony highlighted not only athletic achievement but also dedication, discipline, and the role of sport in shaping South Africa’s cultural and social identity. Organisers praised nominees and winners for their contribution to the country’s sporting legacy, describing them as the “heartbeat of South African sport.”
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture noted that the awards remain a key platform to inspire future generations and reinforce South Africa’s commitment to excellence in sport.
