Leading contributors of the SA sport industry honoured
The contributors were awarded for making sporting events, campaigns and sponsorships possible
Five leading contributors to South African sport were honoured at the annual Hollard Sport Industry Awards held at Turffontein Racecourse on November 23.
These special awards are voted for by peers within the sports industry, recognising those who have championed, transformed and contributed to the growth and development and brought a positive spotlight to South African sport.
The recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award went to Andy Scott, in recognition of the sustained positive impact he has made.
From a Paralympian swimmer and world record holder to head of Paralympics South Africa and chief of sponsorship at Nedbank, Scott has had a remarkable career with a passion for transforming sport for people with disabilities.
As a leading figure in the South African Sports Association for the Physically Disabled, Scott travelled to more than 50 countries as an ambassador and raised over R200 million for paralympic sport in South Africa.
Mama Joy Chauke, in her signature flamboyant attire, was awarded as the sports personality of the year.
For over 30 years, Chauke has been one of South Africa’s most famous sports fans. Her passionate cheers and fierce dedication to local and national sports have earned her thousands of admirers both at home and around the world. Attending three World Cups in four countries in the last year alone, Chauke is a loud and proud superfan and morale-booster beloved by players and audiences alike.
The Sport Lifetime Community Award was presented to Hannes van Niekerk, CEO of the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation.
Founded in 1999, this foundation identifies and assists young talented individuals predominantly from families with limited resources. By providing educational assistance and playing opportunities, a new generation of successful young leaders has been able to reach their full potential.
The winner of the sports broadcaster of the year went to Motshidisi Mohono.
Mohono is affectionately known as the first lady of rugby and was the first woman to anchor a Rugby World Cup Final on a local channel. Starting her career on campus radio, she moved through the ranks quickly, establishing her position in commercial broadcasting where she can be seen on SuperSport.
The Leadership in sports business award went to David Sidenberg, who is one of the sports and sponsorship industry’s most influential thought leaders.
Through his company, BMI Sport Info, he has played a pioneering role in developing the concept of sponsorship into the powerful marketing communications medium it is today. More recently, Sidenberg launched SSN, a niche sponsorship and broadcast rights commercialisation agency which is already credited with structuring some of the largest broadcast rights deals in the country.
The Hollard Sport Industry Awards are held to recognise the teams and creatives that make sporting events, campaigns and sponsorships possible, with these special awards always being an annual highlight.
