Van Niekerk has million reasons to smile
South Africa’s track and field star, Wayde van Niekerk, has been named Sport Star of the Year for 2015, and walked away with R1 million and a luxury car, after impressing a panel of sport editors and journalists throughout the year.
The Mangaung born star, who holds the record for the fastest
400m time in Africa, coming in under 44 seconds, impressed not only with his
performance, but general conduct through the year.
Says Sport Minister, Fikile Mbalula: “Remember that in this country, since 1994, we have always considered sport as a very important tool in our nation building and our sports stars have a responsibility not only to perform well, but to carry themselves well. Off-field behaviour, coupled with excellence on the field is a very important consideration for being a sport star.”
“I think by now all our athletes know that they carry a very important responsibility and for that, as a country, we ought to recognise and honour them.”
Previously, the sport star of the year award was left entirely to public vote and sentiment, but has since been left to journalists.
“The aspect of allowing journalists and editors to decide who our Sport Star of the year is, is a calculated one. We believe that they are in a good position to judge fairly as they monitor the athlete regularly.”
“However, because it is only fair to allow the public to vote for their favourite star, we have created the People’s Choice Award, where the publice still gets to vote for their favourite star.
Other category winners are:
- SPORT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
Virginia Mabaso
- SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Wayde van Niekerk
- SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
Lucas Sithole
- SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Ashleigh Moolman Pasio
- SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
Illsle Hayes
- TEAM OF THE YEAR
Springbok Sevens
- NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Kagiso Rabada
- COACH OF THE YEAR
Graham Hill
- VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Nkosinathi Ngubane
- INDEGENOUS GAMES OF THE YEAR
KZN Debeke Team
- NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE YEAR
Basketball
- RECREATIONAL BODY OF THE YEAR
Indigo Skate Camp
- PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Veli Nhlapo
- SPORT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Bareng-Batho Kortjass
- SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR
St Johns College-Junior Men’s pair
- DEVELOPING SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Montshiwa Primary School
Jacasport