Retired swimming star Tatjana Smith was named the Sports Star of the Year during the 18th Annual South African Sport Awards at the Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province on Sunday.
The main award was presented by SA deputy president, Paul Mashatile, alongside Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.
The 28-year-old Smith bowed out on a high note after she won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m race at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
For the Sports Star of the Year award, Smith was up against sprinter Akani Simbine and Paralympic champion Mpumelelo Mhlongo.
She also got the nod for the Sportswoman of the Year award.
SA Paralympic champion Simone Kruger also walked away with two awards on the night; the Junior Star of the Year and the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability.
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.
SA Sports Awards: All the winners
Sport Administrator of the Year: Pholetsi Moseki (Cricket)
Recreation Body of the Year: Made for More Zama (Para Surfing)
Volunteer of the Year: Phuti Lekoloane (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
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: SA Rugby Union
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: Simone 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 Hatherly (Cycling)
Sport Star of the Year: Tatjana Smith (swimming)
Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:
- Zola Budd-Pieterse (Athletics)
- Louis Massyn (Athletics-Comrades)
- Desire Wilson (Motorsport-F1)
- Josiah Thugwane (Athletics)
Minister’s Excellence Award Recipients:
- Bayanda Walaza (Athletics)
- Vuyisile Jaca (Sailing)
- Gerda Steyn (Athletics)
- Tete Dijana (Athletics)
- Rassie Erasmus (Rugby)
- Tatjana Smith (Swimming)
