From Horror To Hero: Gwala And Ndlovu Shine At Glitzy KZN Sports Awards

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport hosted a night of glitz and glamour on Friday at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, honoring the province’s brightest stars at a star-studded awards ceremony.

Golden Arrows attacker Siyanda Ndlovu emerged as one of the biggest winners, claiming the Sports Personality of the Year award after an outstanding in an ongoing season with Abafana Bes’Thende.

Ndlovu was not present to receive the award, as he was away on club duty with Arrows, who secured a 2–1 victory over bottom-placed Magesi on Saturday.

The 22-year-old played a key role in the match, creating the opening goal scored by Junior Dion, who extended his tally to 13 goals in the PSL, where he is the current top scorer.

The Sportsman of the Year with a Disability award went to Mhlengi Gwala, who survived a horrific attack a few years ago while cycling in Durban. Three men dragged him into bushes at gunpoint and attempted to saw off his legs.

Nonkululeko Mlaba of Hollywoodbets Dolphins claimed the Sportswoman of the Year title for the third consecutive year, while Zakithi Nene was named Sportsman of the Year. Both Nene and Mlaba drove away in VW Polos sponsored by Joma Sports.

KZN Sports Awards Winners:

• Administrator of the Year – Precious Nzimande
• Coach of the Year – Precious Mthembu
• Federation of the Year – KZN Netball
• Junior Sportsman of the Year – Connor Doig
• Junior Sportswoman of the Year – Mbali Diphoko
• Newcomer of the Year – Ethan Hooker
• Recreation Body of the Year – Durban Africa Sports Club
• Sport Journalist of the Year – Robin-Duke Madlala
• Sportsman of the Year – Zakithi Nene
• Sports Personality of the Year – Siyanda Ndlovu
• Sportsman of the Year with a Disability – Mhlengi Gwala
• Sportswoman of the Year – Nonkululeko Mlaba
• Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability – Sthabile Mnyandu
• Team of the Year – Moothee Ram Tuskers
• Youth/Junior Team of the Year – KZN Football U15 Girls
• Technical Official of the Year – Eugene Mdluli
• Visual Journalist of the Year – Thulisile Dlamini
• Volunteer of the Year – Sandile Lukhele

Special Recognition & Honours:

• MEC Special Recognition – Vijay Balram; Khokho World Cup KZN representatives
• Honours Black Blazer – Jorah Soojay; Sarah Reed

Lifetime Achievement Awards:

• Mazwi Mkhize
• Jeremiah “Ace” Mdlalose
• Dr Kevin Subban

Posthumous Awards:

• Nomvula Miya
• Teddyboy Buthelezi
• Themba “TV” Mkhize