'Golden girl' Tatjana Smith closes swimming career with 2 major wins at SA Sport Awards

JOHANNESBURG - Tatjana Smith bid her swimming career goodbye with a R500,000 cheque and two major wins at the South African Sport Awards that were held at Sun City on Sunday night.

The four-time Olympian was named Sportswoman and Sports star of the Year, one year on from retiring from the sport after her success in the pool at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

An emotional Smith said of her win: "South Africa, thank you for allowing me to be your golden girl. It's honestly been an honour, it was bigger than I ever dreamed. I can’t put into words how much your support has meant. There are no words to describe how special it was to stand on the stage and represent South Africa. I never want to give that up for the world."

Sportsman of the Year went to cyclist Alan Hartherly, while Para athletes, Simoné Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo, were named Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year with a Disability, respectively.

Medalists from the Paris Games were the big winners on the 18th edition of the awards, which were themed as "Celebrating Sporting Excellence".

This included a triumph for the 4x100m Men's Team who were named Sport Team of the Year.

"It’s been a journey with the 4x100m," reacted Shaun Maswanganyi to their accolade. "Taking it back to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and we know how that ended. Four years down the line, we made history in Paris and it’s been an honour. We’ve had a great support staff... Mr (Hezekiél) Sepeng, Mr (Athletics Sports President James) Moloi."

Eyewitness News’ own Palesa Manaleng was also a big winner on the night, as she scooped the Sports Media Journalist of the Year award.

Full list of winners:

Sport Administrator of the Year
Pholetsi Moseki (Cricket) 

Recreation Body of the Year
Made for More Zama (Para Surfing) 

Sport 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 (Tug of War)

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
South African Rugby Union (Rugby)

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
Simoné 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 Hartherly (Cycling)

Sport Star of the Year
Tatjana Smith (Swimming)