Wayde van Niekerk crowned South Africa’s Sport Star of the Year

This week we congratulate and celebrate the historic achievements of South African athletes Wayde van Niekerk who was crowned sportsman of the year and Caster Semenya who clinched the sportswoman of the year award at the 11^th annual SA Sports Awards on Sunday.

van Niekerk who this month also named the Best Male Athlete of Rio 2016 games by the Association of National Olympic Committees has had a remarkable year. The sprinter etched his name into the history books after smashing the 400m world record at the Rio Olympics, setting a new time of 43.03 seconds, beating the previous record of 43.18 seconds that had been held by U.S. sprinter Michael Johnson for 17 years.

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/802964656138555392

Olympic champion Semenya who won the gold medal in the 800 metres women’s final in Rio was also rewarded for her achievements this year.

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/802963327064281088

A hearty congratulations to van Niekerk, Semenya and all the winners in other categories.

List of other winners

Sport Star of the Year

Wayde van Niekerk

Sportswoman of the Year

Caster Semenya

Sportsman of the Year

Wayde van Niekerk

People’s Choice Award

Wayde van Niekerk

Team of the Year

Mamelodi Sundowns

Coach of the Year

Anna Botha

Newcomer of the Year Award

Ntando Mahlangu

Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability

Ilse Hayes

Sportsman of the Year with Disability

Charl du Toit

Photographer of the Year

Sydney Mahlangu

Journalist of the Year

Thabiso Sithole

School Team of the Year

St Benedict’s – Rowing

Recreation Body of the Year

Egoli Squash

Indigenous Games Team of the Year

North West Khokho