The much-anticipated12th edition of the Gauteng Sports Awards took place at the Ace Ntsoelengoe Stadium in Mohlakeng in Rand West Municipality on 18 November 2023whereGauteng-based athletes, teams, officials, and media within the sports fraternity received recognition for their outstanding achievements in the past year of theconsidered period of 01 August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
Winners were announced in20 categories of the prestigious provincial awards, which saw the highly coveted Sport Personality of the Yeargo toWheelchair Tennisace, Kgothatso Montjane.Chosenby the public through SMS voting, Montjaneclaimed the night’s top prize which includes a brand-new car.
Also winning Sportwoman of the Year with a Disability,Kgothatso Montjaneis the first Black South African woman to ever play at the Wimbledon championships and first Black African to compete at all 4 grand slams in one calendar year.
This year’s sport awardsintroduced the new Sport Photographer of the Year category, withDenga Netshituka named the first ever recipient.
The Lifetime Achievement, as selectedby MECMorakaneMosupyoe,was awarded to four recipients,whose contributions to the Gauteng sports fraternity have left an impactful legacy.Patrick‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe, Wiseman Dlamini, Aladani Stevens and Wilhemia Grobbelaar were recognized for their extraordinary in their respective fields in sport.
The Coach of the Year and Technical Official of the Year categoriesthis year had unprecedented all female finalists and sawIlse RoetsPelser (Gymnastics) and Hayley Walker(Figure Skating), crowned as the respective winners for their successes which reached international levels.
2023’syoungest award recipientfor the Amayanga Yanga Young Athlete of the year, went to 10-year-old tennis player Mpho Bowers who was the youngest player in the U12 National Tennis Team and won the Southern African Tennis Team Championships in Mozambique.
“We celebrate athletes whose relentless pursuit of excellence has inspired us all. Their dedication to their craft is a testament to the power of commitment and perseverance.Through their feats, they’ve not only brought glory to themselves but also to our province, uniting us in pride and joy.Let us also recognize the unwavering support of coaches, families, and communities who stand as pillars behind every athlete, offering encouragement and guidance through the highs and lows of their journey.” saidGauteng MEC of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, MsMorakaneMosupyoe at the ceremony.
The Gauteng Sport Awards are hosted annually by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, with support from the Gauteng Sports Confederation to honour, and reward Gauteng’s best sporting talentwho have excelled in sporting activities on and off the field.
The winners of the 2023 Gauteng Sport Awards:
SPORT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR TBC
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Kgothatso Montjane | Wheelchair Tennis |
SPORTMAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Ahmad Mahomed | Kickboxing |
SPORTWOMAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Zeney van der Walt | Athletics |
MOST PROMISING SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Johannesburg Gymnastics Centre-Caleigh Anders, Naveen Daries, Shante Koti, Garcelle Napier & Caitlin Rooskrantz | Gymnastics |
SPORTWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Kgothatso Monjane | Wheelchair Tennis |
SPORTMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Daniel TumisoMolobela | Para – Athletics |
SPORT TEAM OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
| Name | Sporting Code |
| UJ SSD Club | Multi Coded |
COACH OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Ilse RoetsPelser | Gymnastics |
TECHNICAL OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Hayley Walker | Figure Skating |
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Stephen Maphike | Darts |
MOST PROMISING ATHLETE
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Chane Vermeulen | Athletics |
SPORT PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
| Name | Organisation |
| Denga Netshituka | Freelancer |
SPORT FAN OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Basetsana Mtsweng | Mamelodi Sundowns |
SPORT JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
| Name & Surname | Media House |
| Timmy Maranda | Radio 2000 |
AMAYANGA YANGA ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
| Name & Surname | Sporting Code |
| Mpho Bowers | Tennis |
COMMUNITY SPORT AND RECREATION PROGRAMME OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Altus Sport | Multiple Sporting Codes |
FEDERATION OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Gauteng Darts Federation | Darts |
COMMUNITY SPORTS MEDIA OF THE YEAR
| Soweto TV |
SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR
| Name | Sporting Code |
| RSA U23 Coxless Pair (Christopher Baxter & Damien Bonhage – Koen) | Rowing |
Life-Time Achievement
| Name | Sporting Code |
| Patrick ‘Ace’ Ntsoelengoe | Football |
| Wiseman Dlamini | Wheelchair Basketball |
| Wilhemia Grobbelaar | Multiple Sporting Codes |
| Aladani Stevens | Boxing |
INFO SUPPLIED.
