Andile Dlamini, Lara van Niekerk and Daniel van Vuuren win big at Gauteng Sports awards

Dlamini, who is with Banyana in the Turkish Women's Cup, was named Sports Personality of the Year, ahead of Van Niekerk, Pieter du Preez (cycling) and Asanda Bidla (blind cricket).

Van Niekerk received the Sportswoman of the Year award and Van Vuuren was named best Sportsman.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Van Niekerk claimed this award best sums up the success of 2022.

“I did not expect to be Sportswoman of the Year, but looking back at my year in 2022, I had an amazing year, winning two gold medals (50m and 100m breaststroke) at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England and being the second-ranked swimmer in the world. I think I deserve the award, and I am happy,” said Van Niekerk.

Despite the double gold, the 19-year-old said this award was the most significant to date. And she paid tribute to her coach Eugene da Ponte for his influence as she prepares for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

“Being (Gauteng) Sportswoman of the Year is definitely a big achievement. I dedicate the award to my coach. It would not have been possible without him,” she claimed.

Furthermore, she urged aspiring swimmers to never give up on their dreams.

“Keep working hard, and your time will come. I had ups and downs, and I thought my time would not come, but it did. Just keep on working hard,” said Van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk said she got inspired by the British superstar and the world record holder of 50m and 100m breaststroke, Adam Peaty.

“He is the world record holder in the events that I swim, and I have met him, and he is an amazing guy. He is a big role model to me. I would like to emulate him and be the best in the world in both events,” said Van Niekerk.

Meanwhile, long jumper Van Vuuren beat African record holder in 100m and 50m backstroke Pieter Coetzee and Equestrian National champion Thomas van Rijckevorser to the Sportsman of the Year crown to cap off what was a good 2022 season.

“I was quite surprised and did not expect to take the award home because I was competing against a strong field of top athletes. 

I represented my country at the African senior championships, and world championships and won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games, and I would like to build on that success in 2023,” a delighted Van Vuuren told the public broadcaster.

He opened his season with a personal best of 8.16m and jumped over 8m in eight consecutive competitions last year.

“My main goal is to jump against the top athletes at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, later this year. I also want to win the All Africa Games in Ghana from 4-19 August this year,” said Van Vuuren.

His role model in the Sandpit is three-time SA and two-time Africa champion Ruswahl Samaai. 

“He is an athlete that shows how things are done, through hard work, self-discipline, and consistency. I want to achieve what he achieved”.

Category winners that received R50 000 and certificates.

Sportsman of the Year – Daniel van Vuuren

Sportswoman of the Year – Lara Van Niekerk

Sports Personality of the Year – Andile Dlamini

Most promising sports team of the Year – Harlequins Rugby

Sports team of the year with disability – Titans deaf cricket

A technical official of the Year – Michelle Joubert

Most promising athlete – Zelika Mathula

Online virtual sports and recreation programme of the year – Retha Ingenbleek

Sports Journalist of the Year – Palesa Manaleng

Coach of the Year – Irma Reyneke

Administrator of the Year – Willem Jaco Coetzer

Sports fan of the Year – Nelly Kubayi

Amayanga Yanga athlete of the Year – Caleb Levitan

Federation of the year – Aquatics Gauteng

Community Sports media house of the Year – Tshwane FM

Community sport and recreation programme of the Year – Elite Sport Academy

Sportsman of the year with disability – Arthur McGee

Sportswoman of the year with disability – Michelle Mona