POLOKWANE – The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture awarded Limpopo top athletes and journalists for their hard work and dedication during the Limpopo Sport and Recreation Awards at the Protea Hotel The Ranch on Saturday.
Caster Semenya was among the top athletes who were recognised and honoured by the department. Semenya, who was named the Sportwoman of the Year, could not attend the ceremony but her award and R5 000 cash prize were received by her family.
Minister of Communications, Faith Muthambi congratulated Onicca Moloi on her new appointment as the MEC for Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and said she is confident that she will take the department forward.
Muthambi further chastised Limpopo saying it was wrong for the province to celebrate Semenya’s achievement so late. “Limpopo should have been the first province to honour Caster after her achievement. Caster has never disappointed the province or the country. This is wrong and needs to be rectified. Without sport, we have a dead nation,” said Muthambi.
She congratulated everyone who won an award and urged other athletes not to give up on their dreams.
Award winners:
• Newcomer of the Year – Chris Moleya.
• Developing School Team of the Year – Mamarama High School.
• School Team of the Year – Nape Primary School.
• Sportman of the Year (for people with disability) – Evans Maripa.
• Recreation Body of the Year – Diketo.
• Photographer of the Year – Herbert Rachuene.
• Volunteer of the Year – Eric Baloyi.
• Indigenous Games Team of the Year – Ncuva.
• Sportwoman of the Year (for people with disability) – Salmita Mdluli.
• Journalist of the Year – Lucky Tshilimandila.
• Provincial Federation of the Year – Limpopo Softball.
• Limpopo Sportman of the Year – Ude Fuchs.
• Coach of the Year – Thabo Senong.
• Team of the Year – Limpopo Volleyball junior girls’ team.
• Sport Administrator of the Year – Dr Mnlumbete Ralethe.
• Sportwoman of the Year – Caster Semenya.
MEC’s awards:
• Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder – Hlompho Kekana.
• The newly promoted PSL team – Baroka FC.
• 800 m runner – Caster Semenya.
• Comrades Marathon runner – Ludwick Mamabolo.
• Founder of Bakhekula Bakhekula – Bheka Ntsangwise.
• Raska Rasivhenge.
See photos from the event below:
