The best of the best in the Mpumalanga sports fraternity were rewarded for their efforts throughout the past year during the Mpumalanga Sport Awards, and Nkomazi’s very own star para-athlete, Collen Mahlalela, was also recognised.
Hosted by the Department of Sport and Recreation at the Communio Church in Mbombela on September 14, these awards act as the perfect way for the very best individuals and organisations in Mpumalanga sports to be recognised for their hard work.
This ranges from sports personalities and athletes to journalists and photographers, teams and federations – everyone stood a chance to be rewarded.
Scheduled to start at 18:00, the evening only got under way at 19:30 as the organisers awaited the arrival of the Mpumalanga MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Leah Mabuza. But once things got started, the spirits lifted as the awards were handed out to their deserving winners.
Paralympian and Nkomazi native Collen Mahlalela was named the Sportsman of the Year with a Disability after he had represented South Africa at the 2024 Paralympics.
He received an MEC’s Award from Mabuza herself for his participation in the Paralympics.
He was also in the running for the Sport Star of the Year award, but was just beaten by Dumile Mlungu.
Mlungu, from eMbalenhle in Secunda, was also honoured with the Sportsman of the Year Award, having represented South Africa at the World Karate Championship. Lambalati Secondary School, from Tonga, was named the School Team of the Year at the awards.
The 2024 Newcomer of the Year Award was handed to Amelia Sehar, a young karateka from Standerton. The Team of the Year went to Kruger United, who gained promotion to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the
end of the 2023/24 season.
The Coach of the Year Award went to tennis coach and Barbertonian Sabelo Mathebula, recognising his efforts in tennis development this year.
The first of the major individual prizes of the evening, Sportswoman of the Year, was given to Banele Shabangu, also from Barberton, who excelled as an athlete on both national and international levels.
Yané van der Merwe from Trichardt was named the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, having once again represented South Africa at the 2024 Paralympics.
Seasoned Lowveld Media sports journalist Mark Kinnear was recognised for his efforts in covering local sport, receiving the award for the Sports Journalist of the Year.
Lowvelder
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