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.
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.
The recognition came on Saturday night (27 August 2016) at a prestigious gala dinner held in Johannesburg.
Van Wyk received the gsport Special Recognition Award for being the highest capped 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 in this fashion. 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.
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 |