The best in different sports have been arrested in one of the most anticipated events at this year’s KZN Sports Awards, the Sports Personality of the Year.
This group, which includes those who do well and are also fans, is the only one voted for in these awards to honor the best sportsmen in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
The winners in the different categories will be awarded at a ceremony to be held at the King Albert Luthuli International Convention Center on Saturday night.
Voting will close on Friday at 11.59 pm. Voting is done on the website of the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture on the page available HERE
In this category of Sports Personality, triathlonist Mhlengi Gwala, cricketer Nonkululeko Mlaba, soccer player Siyanda Ndlovu, netball player Siphesihle Maduna and athlete Zakithi Nene were featured. All of them are visible in the period considered from September 9 in 2024, to December 31 in 2025.
Gwala is among the best in Para-Triathlon, which includes running, swimming and cycling, in local and international competitions. He finished third at the SA Championships, and took gold at the Africa Championships. Apart from that, he also participated in major competitions including the World Triathlon Para Cup and the World Triathlon Para Championships.
Mlaba continued to be one of the most outstanding bowlers in women’s cricket taking 12 wickets in the T20 World Cup in late 2024. He also made history by taking 10 wickets in the Test match of the national team against England, before taking 13 wickets in the One Day International (ODI) World Cup last year.
Ndlovu is one of the hottest players in KwaZulu-Natal teams, who play in the top division, the Betway Premiership, where he plays for Lamontville Golden Arrows. He was named as the best player in this league in the month of September/October, after scoring three goals and contributing three more in five games. On top of that, he also received the best goal scorer award for that month. In the past few months, reports have surfaced that major teams in the country have begun to look closely at him.
Maduna played an important role when Kingdom Stars defended the Telkom Netball League Division 2 title last year, and secured a place in the top division by winning the qualifying match. Apart from being selected as the best player in the day’s games in this tournament, he also beat them all in the second stage by being selected as Player of the Tournament. He also stood out in the national competition, the SPAR National Championships, where he was selected as the best defender representing Durban.
Nene had a great year in athletics where she led the 4x400m relay team to gold at the World Athletics Relays, as well as bronze medals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Apart from that, he ran well solo in the Diamond League races, and also entered the 400m final at the World Athletics Championships.