The #gsport19 campaign has reached fever pitch with voting now underway to choose the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards winners. One thing the judges have agreed on is that this process is not for the faint-hearted.
2019 Momentum gsport Awards Woman in Television winner, Hloni Mtimkulu is one of the esteemed judges tasked with narrowing the hundreds of nominations to just three in each category. As well as deciding along with the public who will walk away with the coveted gsport trophy.
“When I was approached to be one of the gsport19 judges, I was shocked and honoured to be in such illustrious company.”
2024 Momentum gsport Awards Judge, Hloni Mtimkulu
“When you look at the panel and the people that have been involved and that are involved, it’s amazing people in the women’s sports space, so definitely honoured. It’s also a bit full circle for me, having been a winner in 2019 and having been part of the presenter squad as well.”
Hloni, a former sport anchor at eNCA has had first-hand experience starting from understanding the nomination process and the importance of shining the light on fellow women in sport.
“I’ve done a few nominations for people and I went to my first awards in 2018, so it’s like, okay, I’ve done all of these things, and now I’m on this side – It’s pretty cool!”
This year’s awards feature some (if not all) tough categories: Women in PR & Sponsorship sees a battle between three powerhouses in Indira Albuquerque, Jessica Nkomo and Sibabalwe Sesmani.
The Momentum Athlete of the Year is another group of death with Laura Wolvaardt – the Proteas Women skipper; SA’s judo sensation Michaela Whitebooi; and Mzansi’s golden girl, Tatjana Smith.
“The judging process was tough. Even now, some days later, I’m still thinking about some of the decisions and the voting. I’m like, actually, there are so many amazing women, and so many of them deserve this recognition. They’ve done so much work to have this recognition. I wish that we could give more people. We had some amazing work done over the past year.”
Mtimkulu joins a distinguished panel of former Momentum gsport Award winners, including 2021 gsport Ministerial Award recipient Phumelela Hlophe, 2015 Special Recognition award winner Cynthia Tshaka, 2013 Athlete of the Year Mapaseka Makhanya, 2015 Ministerial Recognition of Excellence recipient, Geraldine Pillay-Viret, 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist Bridgitte Hartley, and Siphesihle Mtshali, a Director from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
Surrounded by all the greats in their own right, Hloni speaks of some of the lessons learned during the voting process.
“One major lesson I’ve learned being part of the judging panel is to speak out, to voice your thoughts, your opinions, to also speak out about your work and that it’s okay to acknowledge your work and the work that you’ve done and what you do and that you’re not as bad as you think. Just have a little bit more confidence in your work outside of what other people think.”
“I know maybe that sounds a bit weird but, I think that was just a big part of it that we do speak out, we must speak out, because it did come up that women just don’t speak out about their work and what they’ve done, what they do, and it’s so important to do so!”
Any and every gsport event and meeting will always be driven by the purpose of advancing women’s sport and closing the visibility gap. As she embraces levelling up from winner to judge, Mtimkulu highlights what more can be done to promote women’s sport.
“We need to be more intentional, make the effort to know more about women’s sport, to follow it, to be aware of it. For me, it’s about making or having a better society in general for not just little girls but for all of us that they do have something to look forward to, to aspire towards and it’s another option for them.”
gsport has always managed to assemble the most iconic, influential and consummate panel of judges and this year was no different.
“The highlight of the judging process was easily being in a room with Olympians, Olympic medalists, national champs. People who’ve done such amazing things in their prime, at the peak of their sport, which is amazing. Hearing them speak and having that perspective right next to me, can’t top that experience.”
Remember to make your voice heard and play your part in helping the judges choose our 2024 Momentum gsport Awards winners by voting at gsport.co.za until 31 August 2024.
The gala event is set for 12 September 2024.
Photo Caption: 2019 Momentum gsport Awards Woman in TV winner Hloni Mtimkulu has been part of the esteemed panel of the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards judges. She details her experience as the #gsport19 campaign reaches fever pitch. All Photo: gsport
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