South Africa’s most decorated Olympian Tatjana Smith became the biggest winner at the 2025 SA Sports Awards after scooping two top accolades at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday night.
Smith won the Sportswoman of the Year award and the biggest one of the night, the Sport Star of the Year, beating sprinter Akani Simbine and Paralympic champion Mpumelelo Mhlongo to the award.
An emotional Smith said of her win: “South Africa, thank you for allowing me to be your golden girl. It’s honestly been an honour, it was bigger than I ever dreamed. I can’t put into words how much your support has meant. There are no words to describe how special it was to stand on the stage and represent South Africa. I never want to give that up for the world.”
“I achieved things I set for myself throughout my career, which were to win medals, break records and get awards.
“So, goodbye to sport and hello to the rest of my life.”
SA Paralympic champion Simone Kruger also walked away with two awards on the night, the Junior Star of the Year award and the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability. She was nominated alongside Kgothatso Montjane and Minke Janse van Rensburg for the latter nomination.
The discus and shot put paralympian was rewarded for her magnificent year in 2024, when she won two gold medals, first at the Paris Paralympics and then at the World Championships.
Other winners at the glitz and glamarous night was the 4x100m men’s relay team for the Team of The Year accolade and Mpumelelo Mhlongo for the Sportsman of The Year with Disability, amongst others.
South African Sport Awards 18th Edition List of Winners:
Sport Administrator of the Year
- Pholetsi Moseki (Cricket)
Recreation Body of the Year
- Made for More Zama (Para Surfing)
Sport Volunteer of the Year
- Phuti Leolani (Football
Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year
- Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year
- SA U19 Tug of War Men’s Team (Tug of War)
Sport Visual Journalist of the Year
- Roger Sedres
Sports Media Journalist of the Year
- Palesa Manaleng
Technical Official of the Year
- Ernesta Strydom (Para Cycling)
National Federation of the Year
- South African Rugby Union (Rugby)
Sport Team of the Year
- 4x100m Men’s Team (Paris Olympics)
Coach of the Year
- Rocco Meiring (Swimming)
Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability
- Simoné Kruger (Para Athletics)
Sportsman of the Year with a Disability
- Mpumelelo Mhlongo (Para Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year
- Tatjana Smith (Swimming)
Sportsman of the Year
- Alan Hartherly (Cycling)
Sport Star of the Year
- Tatjana Smith (Swimming).