Long jump world champ wins car as EC sports star of the year

Luvo Manyonga won a brand new hatchback when he was crowned the sports star of the year for the second time running at the Eastern Cape Sport & Recreation Achievers Awards at East London ICC on Friday.

The Dordrecht-born long jump world champion, who is currently abroad, was honoured for his stellar performance on the global stage, after having beaten his addiction to drugs. 

His siblings accepted the prize on his behalf. Manyonga also won the award last year, and this time around he faced stiff competition from local powerlifting gold medallist Elizabeth Barry from Port Elizabeth. Barry, a bronze medal winner at the World Championship in the Czech Republic and winner of a few gold medals in SA’s National Championships, was thrilled to be recognised at home.

The Herald sport journalist, Vuyokazi Nkanjeni, who also writes for the Daily Dispatch also scooped the journalist of the year award for the second time running.

Here are your winners:

Recreation Body of the Year - EC Girl Guides, Photographer of the Year - Selby Madikane, Presenter of the Year - Vuyisa Kulase, Journalist of the Year - Vuyokazi Nkanjeni, Indigenous Games Star of the Year - Lesley Miggels, Indigenous Games Team of the Year - EC Juskei, Volunteer of the Year - Zizo Papu, School Team of the Year - Hudson Park High, Developing School of the Year - Bongolethu Primary School, Technical Official of the Year - Shaun George, Sport Administrator of the Year - Sondisa Magajana, Coach of the Year - Gerhard Posthumus, Sport Team of the Year for persons with disability - Wheelchair Basketball EC, Sport team of the Year - Eastern Cape Amateur Boxing, Federation of the year - EC Amateur Boxing, Newcomer of the Year - Tara Schwulst, Sportswoman of the Year Golden Age - Nozukile Somlotha, Sportsman of the Year Golden Age - Robert Xavier, Sportswoman of the Year for persons with disability - Rentia Oosthuizen, Sportsman of the Year for persons with disability - Jaco Smit, Sportswoman of the Year - Elizabeth Barry, Sportsman of the Year and Sports Star of the Year - Luvo Manyonga.

Bayeni also honoured other deserving individuals who’ve played a vital role in sport development in the province with their MEC’s excellence awards, Isaac Barendse  (Various Sporting Codes , Nelson Mandela Metro),  Noluviwo Gogela (Indigenous Games/Golden Games,  Buffalo City Metro), Msondezi Maswana  (Indigenous Games , Amatole)

Ziphozihle Nkomonde  (Various Sporting Codes,  Sarah Baartman),  Nonkululeko Nohesi  (Various Sporting Codes, Chris Hani), Fezile Nyembe  (Indigenous Games,  Alfred Nzo),  Nombulelo Ntweke  (Various Sporting Codes,  OR Tambo)

Malehlohonolo Makae  (Various Sporting Codes, Joe Gqabi)