The Finalists in the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards were unveiled today in a live broadcast at the SABC Studios in Johannesburg, and the list of names for the 19th edition of South Africa’s women in sport awards is a sight to behold.
Tatiana Smith, Laura Wolvaardt, and Kgothatso Montjane are the headline Finalists for this year’s awards ceremony, and the Momentum Athlete of the Year category is always a hotly contested category, this year proves no different.
South Africa’s golden girl in the pool, Tatjana Smith is nominated in this category as she made history becoming the first South African female to win a World Title with her 200m Breaststroke victory at the World Aquatics Champs in July 2023 and went on to become the most decorated South African after her gold and silver medal wins at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Laura Wolvaardt, who was also nominated in this category has shown time and time again how she and consistency go hand-in-hand. This has seen the cricketer seamlessly taken up the role of Proteas Women captain but continues to put in mega performances with the bat for the team. Off the pitch, she has shown dedication to making an impact showing how she is committed to making a difference.
Joining Smith and Wolvaardt is Judoka Michaela Whitebooi, who famously became the first female South African judoka to qualify for two consecutive Olympics.
Kgothatso Montjane has been nominated for the Telkom Woman of the Year award, the para-athlete has again solidified her place as a star of women’s sport over the past year clinching the US Open and Wimbledon Doubles titles. Joining Montjane in this category is Natalie Barlow who has made tremendous headway in football as the first African woman to earn a UEFA Football Management qualification and a Board Member of the UEFA Academy Alumni Association, she champions South African football globally. It is Tatjana Simth who closes out this category for her excellent performances in the pool.
Montjane, one of the most celebrated athletes on the gsport stage also features in the Para Sport Star and Global Woman in Sport categories.
Simoné Kruger and Kat Swanepoel had been nominated alongside Montjane in the Para Sport Star category. Kruger’s sensational performances over the year have seen her shatter her discus throw record to claim gold at the World Para Champs and set a new African shot put record at the SASAPD National Champs. She will be presenting South Africa at the #Paris2024 Paralympics. Swanepoel, meanwhile has set her African records in the pool and will also be heading to France for the Games.
Montjane also finds herself up against stiff competition in the Global Woman in Sport category. Kirsten Neuschäfer has been groundbreaking when it comes to her sport of sailing. She made history with her Golden Globe solo round-the-world race victory, becoming only the fourth person to achieve this feat. Neuschäfer was also the 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year and SA Sportswoman of the Year.
South African cricketer, Chloe Tryon is the third nominee and has become a stalwart of the Proteas Women’s team since her debut. She continues to put in stand-out performances for the national team or in the global leagues she plays in.
In the media categories, there are some familiar faces as versatile SuperSport presenter Thato Moeng will battle it out with experienced Production Manager Bessie Lesabane and leading broadcaster and commentator Simi Mdaka for the Woman in TV gong.
News24 sports journalist Lynn Butler has been nominated for a second year in a row for the Woman in Print category. There will be stiff competition with the likes of well-seasoned writer Karien Jonckheere and stand-out sports print journalist for SABC Sport, Nozibusiso Sibiya.
702 and EWN Sport’s Tholakele Mnganga is a finalist for Woman in Radio for the second year running. Her informative, engaging sports reports highlight how she continues to show her she has a hand on the pulse of what is important. A trailblazer at Alex FM, Mahlodi Ranku continues to lead the way in radio and continues to be a fierce advocate for gender equality in sports. Noloyiso Bonga, SABC Sports Radio Presenter and Content Producer for uMhlobo Wenene FM is the third nominee who has become well-known for her contribution to supporting minority sports and young athletes.
Woman in Social Media sees some stalwarts nominated like Lali Stander as well as Potso Aphane and Zenande Funani. Stander is known for how she has revolutionised Women’s Golf elevating its presence through dynamic social media and showcasing the journey from amateur to professional ranks. Aphane has worked hard on documenting South African women’s football, spotlighting lesser-known teams and athletes. Funani, meanwhile is known for her creative and dynamic posts where she has gone on to transform the appeal of women’s sports through engaging behind-the-scenes content.
Jessica Nkomo again features in what will be a thrilling contest with fellow nominees Indira Albuquerque and Sibabalwe Sesmani for Woman in PR. Nkomo is the founder of South Africa’s first and only sports agency representing female athletes. As a sports analyst, content creator, and motivational speaker, she breaks stereotypes and champions gender equality. Albuquerque has been key to driving visibility and fan engagement through innovative initiatives at Hollywoodbets as Sesmani the visionary founder and CEO of Unorthodox Group, has been a trailblazer in elevating women’s sports.
Sponsors are integral to ensuring women’s sports grow and this year’s nominations should come as no surprise as Hollywoodbets, Sasol, and Spar are at the forefront of financing and meeting the needs of women in sport.
Mens Allies in the Mix
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies CAF Women’s Champions League coach, Jerry Tshabalala, As Head Coach of the Women’s Indoor Hockey team, AJ Spieringshoek, and Youth Football coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo are all nominated for Coach of the Year.
Colleen McAusland has landed herself a nomination in the African Woman in Sports Category for how she has championed Women’s boxing not just in South Africa but on the continent. She is joined by groundbreaking Zambian Referee Diana Chikotesha as well as Communications manager Tatenda Gondo.
The Emerging Athlete of the Year, which recognises athletes excelling at national and provincial levels, will be contested by swimmer Jess Thompson, Proteas Women’s Nadine de Klerk, and shot put and discus throw specialist, Miné de Klerk.
How can you mention women’s rugby and not mention The Bulls Daisies? They are the first domestic professional women’s rugby team to achieve an undefeated 14-0 record in 2023 and produced over 15 Springbok players for the XVs and 7s teams. They will come up against the remarkable side of the South African Women’s Hockey team who despite their challenges always manage to shine. While, the SA Women’s Rugby is rising on the global stage, successfully defending their Africa Title and producing top international players now excelling in European leagues.
It’s been just over a year since the Netball World Cup but the effects of the tournament are still being felt, this is where former Netball SA CEO Blanche de la Guerre comes in as she was instrumental in bringing the event to South Africa. For this, she has been nominated for a Special Recognition Award for her contribution to netball. Women’s football in the country is currently thriving and someone integral in that is former Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza. He now nurtures future national talents through his club, Springs Home Sweepers. The final nominee is Mbali Zantsi who has been a relentless advocate for women’s boxing, pioneering recognition and sponsorship when it was unfashionable.
Federation of the Year will be contested by Cricket South Africa which has been driven is ensuring equality and development in the game. The South African Hockey Association has had its fair share of triumphs in the last year. Among them, the Women’s Hockey Team qualified for the #Paris2024 Summer Olympics and won the 2023 African Hockey Championship.
A Bit of Glam
On the glamorous side of things Caitlin Rooskrantz, Jo Prins and Kate Nokwe are up for the Style Star award.
Karabo Meso is proving just why she is set to be the next cricket start. The Cricketer from Soweto joined the Proteas Women at just 16 and has secured a nomination for the Schools Sports Star of the Year. Danelia Price-Hughes is also in this category as she has had some standout rowing performances. Katleho Malebana is becoming a force in Women’s football having won the U15 COSAFA African School Championship in 2023 and the U15 CAF African School Championship in 2024.
This year sees passionate advocate for women in sport Bullie James nominated for Supporter of the Year and she is joined by Celumusa Malinga who has guided Squash player Awande to excel both academically and athletically.
The Volunteer of the Year Award will be decided between Precious Hlaka, a 2023 Momentum gsport Volunteer of the Year Finalist, who is a beacon of empowerment in Diepsloot. Rose Baloyi, a dedicated leader, Baloyi ensured the Westrand U19 National Telkom Championships squad was fully supported with transport, catering, and accommodations. As well as the President of the Kickboxing Federation, Seema Esterhuizen.
Finalists for the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards
Momentum Athlete of the Year
Tatjana Smith
Geronay Michael Whitebooi
Laura Wolvaardt
Brand South Africa Para Sport Star
Kat Swanepoel
Kgothatso Montjane
Simoné Kruger
Emerging Athlete
Jess Thompson
Miné de Klerk
Nadine de Klerk
School Sports Star
Danelia Price-Hughes
Karabo Meso
Katleho Malebana
Team of the Year
Bulls Daisies
SA Women’s Hockey
SA Women’s Rugby
Coach of the Year
A-J Spieringshoek
Jerry Tshabalala
Ntombifuthi Khumalo
Federation of the Year
Cricket South Africa
Hockey South Africa
Rugby South Africa
Telkom Woman of the Year
Kgothatso Montjane
Natalie Barlow
Tatjana Smith
African Woman in Sport
Diana Chikotesha
Tatenda Gondo
Colleen McAusland
Global Woman in Sport
Kirsten Neuschäfer
Kgothatso Montjane
Chloe’ Tryon
Woman in PR & Sponsorship
Indira Albuquerque
Jessica Nkomo
Sibabalwe Sesmani
Woman in Social Media
Lali Stander
Potso Aphane
Zenande Funani
SABC Sport Woman in Radio
Mahlodi Ranku
Noloyiso Bonga
Tholakele Mnganga
SABC Sport Woman in TV
Bessie Lesabane
Simi Mdaka
Thato Moeng
Woman in Print
Karien Jonckheere
Lynn Butler
Nozibusiso Sibiya
Special Recognition
Blanche de la Guerre
Joseph Mkhonza
Mbali Zantsi
Style Star
Caitlin Rooskrantz
Jo Prins
Kate Nokwe
Supporter of the Year
Bullie James
Celumusa Malinga
Jessica Nkomo
Volunteer of the Year
Precious Lebohang Hlaka
Rose Baloyi
Seema Estherhuizen
Sponsor of the Year
Hollywoodbets
Sasol
Spar
Photo caption: The Finalists in the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards were unveiled today in a live broadcast at the SABC Studios in Johannesburg, and the list of names for the 19th edition of South Africa’s women in sport awards is a sight to behold. Photo: Alaister Russell / gsport
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