Banyana Banyana midfielder, Amanda Dlamini doing what she knows best PHOTO:GIFT NDOLWANE [/captionGuardian Reporter
BANYANA Banyana players, captain Janine van Wyk and midfielder Amanda Dlamini have been honoured for their role in women’s football at the Spar gsport Awards, who were officially recognized last Saturday (27 August 2016) at a prestigious gala dinner held in Johannesburg recently.
Van Wyk received the gsport Special Recognition Award for being the highest capped in South African football with 135 matches and for also running a football club.
She also led Banyana Banyana at the recently ended 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
“Even though you don’t play for awards, as a player you always appreciate when you are honoured like this . The awards were fantastic and it was amazing to see so many successful and upcoming female athletes all in one room being rewarded for the hard they put into the sport,” said Van Wyk.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers for bestowing me with this top honour, it is one I will cherish for a very long time.”
Other recipients of the gsport Special Recognition Award are former swimmer Penny Heyns, television presenter Carol Tshabalala, Momentum Protea star Mignon du Preez and event brand specialists Worldwide Sports.
Dlamini received, in absentia, the 2016 Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award alongside greats like Rio Olympics gold medalist, Caster Semenya, former netball international, Simnikiwe Mdaka, Comrades Marathon winner, Charne Bosman and Wayde van Niekerk’s gold medal-winning coach, Tannie Ans Botha. – Guardian Reporter
Full list of winners at the gsport Awards:
Caster Semenya – Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award
Amanda Dlamini – Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award
Simnikiwe Mdaka – Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award
Charne Bosman – Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award
‘Tannie Ans’ Anna Botha – Minister’s Recognition of Excellence Award
Cheryl Roberts – Hall of Fame Award
Worldwide Sports – Special Recognition Award
Carol Tshabalala – Special Recognition Award
Janine van Wyk – Special Recognition Award
Mignon du Preez – Special Recognition Award
Penny Heyns – Special Recognition Award
Zelda Hansen – Volunteer of the Year
Wheelchair Tennis SA – Federation of the Year
National Lotteries Commission – Sponsor of the Year
Mama Joy Chauke – Supporter of the Year
Rachel Makhura – Style Star Award
Busisiwe Mokwena – Woman in Media Award – Print
Rachel Makhura – Woman in Media Award – Social Media
Rachel Makhura – Woman in Media Award – Radio
Motshidisi Mohono – Woman in Media Award – Television
Faith Sibeko – Woman of the Year
Anna Botha – Coach of the Year
Nokwanda Hlongwane – School Sports Star of the Year
Nokwanda Hlongwane – Junior Athlete of the Year
Kgothatso Montjane – Athlete of the Year with Disability
Free State Crinums – Team of the Year
Caster Semenya – SPAR Athlete of the Year