The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Mntomuhle Khawula has announced the finalists for the prestigious 2024 KZN Sport Awards scheduled to take
place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday, 02 November 2024.

This was announced at a media briefing held at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Cricket Stadium today, 28/10/2024. The Awards are organised by the Department in association with the KZN Sport Confederation and will be hosted under the theme: “Celebrating 30 years of sporting excellence in KZN”. The evening’s festivities begin with a red-carpet experience at 16h00, followed by the main ceremony at 18h00.

The nominations were adjudicated by an independent panel which conducted a rigorous sifting exercise in a process that was closely monitored and audited. There is a total of 19 categories plus MEC’s special recognition awards. The list of finalists consists of some of the top athletes, administrators, federations and media personalities who have excelled in their different categories.

Contenders in the Sportsman of the Year category include Aphelele Fassie, Hamish Lovemore and Keshav Maharaj. For the Sportswoman of the Year, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nozipho Ntshangase and Tayla Kavanagh will contest for honours. Edendale Technical High School will be pitted against Khombindlela Secondary School and Thuthukani Special School in the School Team of the Year category; while the Federation of the Year will be contested by KZN Cricket Union, KZN Cycling and KZN Netball. Administrators Gugu Ngema, Precious Nzimande and Sandile Msimango contest for the Administrator of the Year, and the Coach of the Year will be chosen between Angelique Taai, Ntombifuthi Khumalo and Precious Mthembu.

GROWING KWAZULU-NATAL TOGETHER

“The exceptional talent and dedication showcased by these finalists embody the spirit of KwaZulu-Natal’s thriving sports community. We eagerly anticipate celebrating their achievements come Saturday,” said the MEC Khawula. The MEC also announced the sponsors for this year’s Awards. “We are happy to confirm that the winners of the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year will once again walk away with brand new vehicles courtesy of our longtime sponsor, Joma Sport South Africa.

We want to thank the company for this continuous gesture as the availing of these vehicle puts cherry on top of this special celebration of talent and dedication by our sports persons. We are also grateful to all other sponsors like Coastlands Hotels Group for their generosity in sponsoring the awards for R200 000,” said MEC Khawula. Members of the public can follow the Awards ceremony livestreaming on the KZN Sport Awards and Department’s social media platforms @kznsportsawards and @sportartskzn.