Sport MEC applauds KZN Netball for Successful Development Programme
KwaZulu-Natal Netball (KZNN) has been praised for their commitment to the development of netball and availing development opportunities for girls and boys throughout the Province.
Speaking at the KZN Netball Awards Ceremony held at Coastlands Hotel, Musgrave on Friday, 16/04/21, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, and Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nocawe Mafu expressed their excitement at strides made by the netball federation to develop the code and unearth more talent.
Also present at the awards was eThekwini Municipality’s Community Services Committee Chairperson, Cllr Ntokozo Sibiya, President of KZN Sports Confederation, Thami Mchunu and Netball South Africa CEO Blanche De La Guerre. The awards honoured players, teams, coaches, administrators and officials who excelled during the past year despite the disruptions caused by Covid-19 pandemic.
MEC Mavimbela said KZN Netball is a trendsetter and continues to produce quality players.“The KZN Netball Super League is one of the top netball club leagues in the country, to the awe of many. The tournament was one of the first sporting activities to be completed in 2020. Many Provinces dream of having a top tournament that is so well organized and supported. It is a one of a kind. It is a proudly KZN concept and we celebrate this initiative. This year I look forward to the Grand Finale which is the pinnacle of the Super League. Abaningi baliconsela amathe lelithuba esilinika abadlali bethu lapha KwaZulu-Natali – ngalokho kumele sizishayele ihlombe,” said MEC Mavimbela.
“As we look forward to the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023 I would like to encourage Netball South Africa and KZN Netball supported by the KZN Confederation and the Department to lead us on creating sustainable programmes as part of a lasting legacy for the country and KwaZulu-Natal. I would like to see that child from a deep rural village benefiting from the World Cup being hosted in our country. Failure to do so would mean failing our communities,” she said.
Mavimbela’s sentiments were echoed by Deputy Minister Mafu, who committed herself to ensuring that the Netball World Cup leaves a legacy throughout the country.
“The Netball World Cup will be hosted in Cape Town in 2023, but it is a national event. The bulk of the funding for the event will come from national government, so this is a national event,” she said.
Mafu added that netball deserves better support and recognition as it is one of the codes that is played by thousands of young people in the country.
“Whilst many people are disappointed by the failure of one national team to qualify, we must be reminded to celebrate the great achievement of our netball team, the Proteas, that has been winning their games and has already qualified for the Netball World Cup. This is a great achievement and our netball team has never failed us. We are proud of them and as a nation we must celebrate their achievements.”
An excited KZNN President, Gugu Ngema said they were pleased with the performance of KwaZulu-Natal teams, Kingdom Stars and Kingdom Queens in last year’s Telkom Netball League, as well as the progress made by a number of players from the Province who have become part of the national team setup.
She awarded the President’s Award category to her predecessor and current deputy, Mr TV Mkhize for his role in bringing stability to netball leadership in the Province. The award includes a blazer with KZN Provincial colours.
Winners:
No. |
Category |
Winner |
1 |
Coach of the Year |
Magda Du Plessis |
2 |
Umpire of the Year |
Lwazi Qhawe Mncwabe |
3 |
Manager of the Year |
Nomusa Sithole |
4 |
Technical Official of the Year |
Thabile Mdletshe |
5 |
Team of the Year |
Kingdom Queens |
6 |
Defender of the Year – Males |
Sandiso Zulu |
7 |
Defender of the Year – Females |
Fezeka Sondzaba |
8 |
Mid-Court Player of the Year – Males |
Percy Thebede |
9 |
Mid-Court Player of the Year – Females |
Tarle Mathe |
10 |
Shooter of the Year – Males |
Sifiso Mntambo |
11 |
Shooter of the Year – Females |
Nomfundo “Hlokoloza” Mngomezulu |
12 |
Most Disciplined Player of the Year |
Sinethemba Mkhize |
13 |
Most Disciplined Team of the Year |
Sheppy Central Netball Team |
14 |
Most Improved Player of the Year |
Nolwazi Mathe |
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PUBLIC VOTING CATEGORIES |
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15 |
Sportswoman of the Year |
Danelle Van Der Linde |
16 |
Sportsman of the Year |
Percy Thabede |
17 |
Personality of the Year |
Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Mthembu |