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 last night, 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.
Coach of the Year
Magda Du Plessis
Umpire of the Year
Lwazi Qhawe Mncwabe
Manager of the Year
Nomusa Sithole
Technical Official of the Year
Thabile Mdletshe
Team of the Year
Kingdom Queens
Defender of the Year – Males
Sandiso Zulu
Defender of the Year – Females
Fezeka Sondzaba
Mid-Court Player of the Year – Males
Percy Thebede
Mid-Court Player of the Year – Females
Tarle Mathe
Shooter of the Year – Males
Sifiso Mntambo
Shooter of the Year – Females
Nomfundo “Hlokoloza” Mngomezulu
Most Disciplined Player of the Year
Sinethemba Mkhize
Most Disciplined Team of the Year
Sheppy Central Netball Team
Most Improved Player of the Year
Nolwazi Mathe
PUBLIC VOTING CATEGORIES
Sportswoman of the Year
Danelle Van Der Linde
Sportsman of the Year
Percy Thabede
Personality of the Year
Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Mthembu
