Glenrose Xaba has been named the 2024 gsport Newsmaker of the Year, leading the gsport Annual List of Newsmakers #GAL2024, announced at the Southern Sun Hotel in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on Monday, 2 December, 2024.
This prestigious recognition celebrates her exceptional achievements that have cemented her place as a trailblazer in South African athletics.
Xaba’s selection as the Newsmaker of the Year highlights her remarkable season, where she became the first South African to win the SPAR Grand Prix since 2019. Her standout year also included setting a national marathon record of 2:22:22 on her debut at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and breaking Elana Meyer’s 23-year-old 10km national record in the Absa Run Your City series with a time of 31:12.
The #GAL2024 list celebrates ten recipients who consistently made headlines and elevated women’s sport through their record-breaking achievements and inspiring performances throughout the year.
Joining Xaba on the #GAL2024 list is Courtnae’ Paul, who made waves in breakdancing by becoming Africa’s highest ranked dancer in the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers as well as winning the 1vs1 B-Girl AfroBreak International Championship, and hosting the Red Carpet at the 2024 Momentum gsport Awards.
Jess Greeff, another #GAL2024 recipient, led her all-women Protea Counter Strike Team to victory at the African Esports Championship. She also became the most capped female athlete in Mind Sports South Africa’s history since 1984, further spotlighting the rise of women in Esports.
Kgothatso Montjane, also named to the #GAL2024 list, captured the Wimbledon Doubles title with partner Yui Kamiji, adding to her Grand Slam victories at the French Open and US Open in 2023, and continuing to break barriers in wheelchair tennis.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, celebrated as #GAL2024 recipients, dominated South African football by clinching their fifth consecutive Hollywoodbets Super League title, showcasing their consistency and excellence on the field.
Cricket star Nonkululeko Mlaba, honoured as a #GAL2024 recipient, made history by taking 12 wickets at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, the most by any South African in a single edition of the tournament.
Proteas Women, recognised collectively on the #GAL2024 list, reached back-to-back ICC Women’s T20 World Cup finals and secured a historic semifinal victory against Australia. Team members Laura Wolvaardt, Tazmin Brits, and Nonkululeko Mlaba were all named to the Team of the Tournament.
Teen sensation Simoné Kruger, another #GAL2024 recipient, delivered a golden performance at the Paris Paralympics, breaking the F38 discus record with a throw of 38.70m at just 19 years old.
Springbok Women, celebrated as #GAL2024 recipients, secured their third Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title with a dominant victory over Madagascar, confirming their place at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Finally, Tatjana Smith, who rounds off the #GAL2024 list, became South Africa’s most decorated Olympian by winning silver in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke at the Paris Olympics, adding to her earlier gold medal and retiring as a legend of the pool.
The gsport Annual List of Newsmakers (#GAL2024) is part of gsport’s mission to close the visibility gap for women in sport. All honourees gain access to the gsport PR engine to help amplify their personal brands and unlock further opportunities in 2025.
This initiative, launched in 2019, has highlighted exceptional women each year, including past winners like Cecelia Molokwane, Karla Pretorius, Dane’ van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, and Kgothatso Montjane.
The #GAL2024 celebration was supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, Brand South Africa, Telkom, SABC Sport, Southern Sun, and Inverroche. SPAR, who won Sponsor of the Year at #gsport19, provided goodie bags alongside gifts from Telkom and Inverroche.
The 2024 gsport Annual List of Newsmakers
Glenrose Xaba
Courtnae’ Paul
Jess Greeff
Kgothatso Montjane
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
Nonkululeko Mlaba
Proteas Women Cricket Team
Simoné Kruger
Springbok Women Rugby Team
Tatjana Smith
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba has been named the 2024 gsport Newsmaker of the Year, leading the gsport Annual List of Newsmakers #GAL2024, announced at the Southern Sun Hotel in Hyde Park, Johannesburg, on Monday, 2 December, 2024. Photo: Rebecca Hearfield / gsport
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