After a sensational year that saw Prudence Sekgodiso solidify her place as the South African queen of the 800m, she now adds gsport Athlete of the Year Award winner to that list of achievements in 2025 after the internationally acclaimed athlete capped an inspirational list of winners at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 30 August 2025.
In her absence at the glittering ceremony where she represented on stage by an instantly-recognisable home-grown 800m world champion, the indomitable Caster Semenya, Sekgodiso was lauded for her astounding successes on the world stage, including becoming the first South African Indoor 800m World Champion.
The 2025 gsport Awards brought together the leading women in sport for a night of celebration and recognition. The Wanderers Club was abuzz with activity as the elite athletes and women in sport gathered for the 20th edition of the pioneering awards ceremony.
The track star walked away with the biggest prize of the night as she was crowned Athlete of the Year, after a season of shattered records and becoming South Africa’s first women’s indoor world title holder.
The middle distance runner was up against tough competition as Olympic silver medallist, Jo-Ané du Plessis (née van Dyk), and T20 World Cup finalist Laura Wolvaardt were also finalists in this category.
This year’s Telkom Women of the Year sees Akhona Poswayo take the accolade. Her work in the rugby sphere has elevated women’s rugby on and off the field. She has created new pathways for young women in stadium management and strengthened visibility for the women’s game. She is driving meaningful change with her work at the Golden Lions Women’s team, creating new sponsorships and visibility, setting a benchmark in sport management.
Aimee Barrett-Theron wrote her name in the history books, becoming the first woman to referee 40 international rugby Tests. Not an easy feat to achieve, and for this accomplishment, among so many others, she walked away with the Inverroche Global Woman in Sport award.
With the sports world’s eyes cast on the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, the referee is on World Rugby international duty, having kicked the tournament off by officiating in the opening match between hosts England and the USA.
Kgothatso Montjane is a perennial winner at the gsport Awards, and 2025 has proved no different as she was named Brand SA Para Sport Star of the Year. Montjane has become a mainstay in wheelchair tennis, and continues to inspire inclusion and champion gender parity in the sport.
Karabo More is the 2025 Emerging Athlete of the Year as her talent and ambition have been on show with her performances this season, including her 5 km elite win, 1,500 m national title, and strong championship showings across distances. She has more than earned her nickname “The Beast” as she looks to cement her place in her sport.
Rethabile Molefe captured the School Sports Star of the Year Award. The rising football star is breaking barriers and becoming a worthy role model in the process. She captained the South African team to bronze at the CAF African Schools Championship and signed for AmaTuks at just 15 years old.
African Woman in Sport went to Monica Mkandla, who dominated boxing in 2024, winning two continental titles and staying undefeated. Her fearless spirit and relentless drive are raising the profile of women’s boxing across Africa.
Bronwyn Roets has championed South African athletes for several years and has ensured they get the necessary exposure they need. She is this year’s Red Cherry Interactive Woman in PR and Sponsorship winner. The Chief Press Attaché for Team SA led media strategy for Paris 2024 while shaping powerful campaigns for former gsport Award winners Tatjana Smith and Caitlin Rooskrantz.
Rachel Makhura’s voice is one that is synonymous with amplifying women’s sport on our airwaves, and for this she has been awarded the SAB Sport Woman in Radio accolade. She has used her voice on her platform on Radio 2000 to highlight women’s sport, as well as bringing grassroots stories to national attention.
Gloria Brown needs little introduction, and this year’s SABC Sport Woman in TV winner has been a pioneer when it comes to sports broadcasting, as she paved the way for other women to join the industry. Her familiar voice behind the commentary mic has seen her work her way to becoming an authority on all things football on SABC Sport.
Mpumi Manyisi wins her second Gallo Images Woman in Print gsport Award, following up on her triumph in 2023. From breaking major stories in women’s sport to highlighting and telling the stories of the lesser-known codes, she has become a trusted source for sports news.
Potso Aphane is this year’s Endeavour AV Woman in Social Media Award winner. She is changing the game with ‘Basadi in Action’, using social media to amplify women’s sports coverage. Her consistent, authentic content is driving visibility, engagement, and representation across platforms.
This year’s Coach of the Year award goes to Dillon du Preez, who was at the helm, navigating the Proteas Women’s success. He helped the team to their historic and second straight T20 World Cup final in 2024. His tactical brilliance and calm leadership turned the squad into global contenders, cementing his status as a world-class cricket coach.
Robin de Kock has been credited with revolutionising surfing in South Africa, and for that, he has been bestowed with the G100 Special Recognition Award. During his five-decade tenure, he drove transformation and change at the federation as well as Olympic recognition and development initiatives like the Grommet Games.
Zanele Potelwa is known for her classy fashion sense and wins the Style of the Year. She is a red-carpet regular that always dazzles with her attire. The powerful media voice blends style, confidence, and advocacy for female visibility across platforms on SABC.
Madeleine Khunou has been the chief advocate in her daughters, Alicia and Lesedi’s success as athletes, and takes home the Supporter of the Year award. Her tireless mentoring and coaching have seen both her daughters succeed in their respective sports, and Khunou also joins her daughters as gsport Award winners.
Nielsen Sports SA Team of the Year goes to the Proteas Women. The South African cricketers have been on an upward trajectory, securing their T20 World Cup final appearance, a first-ever win over Australia in a semi, and ODI series wins, elevating South African women’s cricket globally.
Kagiso Musi’s support across various sports sees her as a worthy winner of the Volunteer of the Year Award. She is known for giving a helping hand to athletes when it comes to fundraising and managing national teams. Her tireless service fosters resilience, equity, and excellence across multiple sporting codes.
Federation in the Year goes to Cricket South Africa (CSA) as the cricketing body continues to be at the forefront of transformation in sport. They are committed to making meaningful change in the sport as they look to grow the women’s game with development programs. Prioritising age-group investment and strategic growth, CSA has redefined the women’s game nationally and internationally, earning their place as Federation of the Year contenders.
FNB is the winner of the Sponsor of the Year. The bank has thrown their weight behind the Springbok Women as they provide much-needed financial backing as it looks to ensure the growth in the women’s game. FNB’s visionary support creates long-term pathways and inspires national unity through inclusive sporting investment.
Banyana Banyana’s Thalea Smidt is the Public Choice award winner. She turns heads with her standout presence in both football and fashion. Her confidence and creativity off the pitch complement her fierce play on it, making her a style icon. She received the most number of public votes to win the much sought after accolade.
A highlight of the night was seeing five outstanding women in sport, honoured with 2025 Ministerial Recognition of Excellence Awards for their exceptional contribution to the girls and women in sport sector in Africa.
Tasha Mentasti is shaping the future of African surfing from South Africa to the world. As WSL Africa Director, she drives gender equity, athlete development, and inclusive opportunities. A former champion and expert official, Tasha’s leadership ensures African women surfers have a global stage and a powerful voice in sport.
Violet Semenya shaped Glenrose Xaba’s record-breaking 2024–25 season, guiding her to national bests, SPAR Grand Prix victory, and comeback success after injury. Her coaching combines physical excellence with deep emotional intelligence, earning praise from Xaba as a pillar of strength. Violet’s impact is elevating South Africa’s distance-running legacy.
Bonita van Jaarsveldt’s story is one of unmatched courage – facing loss, cancer, and motherhood while reigning as SA Lightweight Champion. Her perseverance, positivity, and strength uplift everyone around her. She is a living example that true champions fight every day – not just in sport, but in life.
Founder of Urithi Athletics Club, Brenda Marolen transforms lives through running. She mentors 20 learners from Lesego Primary, supports elite athletes, and raises funds for shoes, sports bras, and sanitary pads. Her hands-on commitment in Limpopo creates lasting impact, making her a shining example of grassroots leadership and a deserving Ministerial recognition of excellence recipient.
Tezna Abrahams has redefined para-athletics in South Africa through record-breaking performances and international success. Her resilience, excellence, and leadership inspire a nation, while her achievements on the global stage affirm her as a true ambassador for sport, inclusion, and determination.
Celebrated a day prior, broadcasting legend Cynthia Tshaka was unveiled as the 20th annual gsport Hall of Fame inductee at an intimate gathering of industry leaders at the Protea Hotel Wanderers, in Johannesburg on Friday.
Award Winners at the 2025 gsport Awards on Saturday, 30 August, 2025
Athlete of the Year – Prudence Sekgodiso
Telkom Woman of the Year – Akhona Poswayo
Inverroche Global Woman in Sport – Aimee Barrett-Theron
Brand South Africa Para Sport Star of the Year – Kgothatso Montjane
Emerging Athlete of the Year – Karabo More
School Sports Star of the Year Award – Rethabile Molefe
African Woman in Sport – Monica Mkandla
Red Cherry Interactive Woman in PR and Sponsorship – Bronwyn Roets
SABC Woman in Radio – Rachel Makhura
SABC Woman in TV – Gloria Brown
Gallo Images Woman in Print – Mpumi Manyisi
Endeavour AV Woman in Social Media – Potso Aphane
Coach of the Year – Dillion du Preez
G100 Special Recognition Award – Robin de Kock
Style of the Year – Zanele Potelwa
Supporter of the Year – Madeleine Khunou
Nielsen Sports SA Team of the Year – Proteas Women
Volunteer of the Year – Kagiso Musi
Federation in the Year – Cricket South Africa
Worldwide Sports Sponsor of the Year – FNB
Public Choice – Thalea Smidt
2025 Hall of Fame Inductee – Cynthia Tshaka
2025 Ministerial Recognition of Excellence Award Winners
Bonita van Jaarsveld
Brenda Marolen
Tasha Mentasti
Tezna Abrahams
Violet Semenya
Main Photo Caption: The 2025 gsport Awards brought together the leading women in sport for a night of celebration and recognition abuzz with activity, as the elite athletes and women in sport gathered for the 20th edition of the pioneering awards ceremony, at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 30 August, 2025. All Photos: Sachin du Plooy-Naran / gsport
Photo 2 Caption: After a sensational year that saw Prudence Sekgodiso solidify her place as the South African queen of the 800m, she was unveiled as gsport Athlete of the Year Award and, in her absence at the glittering ceremony, she represented by Caster Semenya.
Photo 3 Caption: Aimee Barrett-Theron, on official duty for World Rugby at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, was represented by her wife, Zaandre Barrett-Theron, to receive the Inverroche Global Woman in Sport award.
Photo 4 Caption: Dillon du Preez Coach of the Year, away at with the Women’s Proteas cricket team in Durban ahead of their Women’s ODI World Cup, was represented by CSA’s Devni Naidoo Ferdi.
Photo 5 Caption: Honoured for his instrumental role in revolutionising surfing in South Africa, former Surfing South Africa administrator Robin de Kock was represented by WSL Africa Director, Tasha Mentasti.
Photo 6 Caption: Nielsen Sports SA Team of the Year goes to the Proteas Women, represented by Cricket SA’s Public Affairs Executive, Refentse Shinners, marking the team’s upward trajectory, elevating South African women’s cricket globally.
Photo 7 Caption: Banyana Banyana’s Thalea Smidt is the 2025 Public Choice award winner, turning heads with her standout presence in both football and fashion, and she was welcomed to the Award by SA sports icon, Penny Heyns.
