TOTI’S Olympic swimming champion, Penny Heyns has been nominated to receive an eThekwini Municipality Living Legend Award in the sports category on Friday, 5 September.
The seventh annual awards will be held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
Penny, who won gold medals at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the 100m and 200m breaststroke events, will be honoured along with other recipients in various categories.
“Durban has always been my home throughout my swimming career and were it not for the fact that I grew up next to the coast, I may never have discovered my talent and taken up the sport of swimming. Every single one of my milestone sporting achievements within the borders of SA occurred at Kings Park pool, three of which were world record swims. My first ever – the 100m long course breaststroke world record was on 4 March, 1996 at our Olympic trials and the last two of my career, which were the 100m and 50m Short Course World Records swum in the outdoor 25m pool in late 1999.”
She thanked eThekweni Municipality, in particular the Parks, Recreational and Culture Unit, as well as their partner Old Mutual for organising the 2014 Living Legends ceremony and for honoring her in this fashion.
“I regret that I cannot personally accept this prestigious award as I’m currently in northern Zambia doing swim clinics, however my father, Steve Heyns will receive this award on my behalf.”
The awards ceremony will honour the legends of eThekwini who have diligently dedicated their skills to uplift communities and contributed immensely to service the society at large.
Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo said the awards present the municipality with an opportunity to honour its legends while they are still alive and reflect on their distinct achievements and contribution to the community of eThekwini and the country at large.
“We are proud of their achievements and progressive contribution which serves as an inspiration to the younger generation to emulate these great legends who have selflessly served our communities.
The legendary citizens are products of our local neighbourhoods and communities, emerging from different walks of life. They have been identified by ordinary citizens of our city as iconic figures. The awardees for have been nominated in arts and culture, human rights, community, academia, music and entertainment and sports.”
