Amateur boxing star and Commonwealth bronze medallist Phiwokuhle Mnguni was the biggest winner at the KZN Sport Awards held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Saturday evening.
Dundee-born Mnguni won the Sports Personality of Year and Sportswoman of the Year awards. As a result of winning the two awards, the 21-year-old Mnguni walked away with R100 000 and a brand-new car.
“I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say. I never expected this. There are many good sports people and athletes. Thank you KZN for voting for me and for appreciating my talent,” Mnguni said.
KZN MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture Amanda Bani-Mapena said about Mnguni: “She has shown that it is all possible. That is why I said in my address that these are the sport stars that have contributed immensely to KwaZulu-Natal sporting culture from which young and aspiring sports people draw inspiration.”
Retired three-time world boxing champion Moruti ‘Babyface’ Mthalane received the MEC Lifetime Achievement award.
The 40-year-old Mthalane, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) flyweight champion, retired after he defeated Filipino boxer Diomel Diocos in Pietermaritzburg last Sunday.
The late Ludonga Boxing Promotions boss Thulani Magudulela, who passed away due to COVID-19 complications in February last year, was a recipient of the MEC Special Award.
Former Banyana Banyana midfielder Makhosi Luthuli also received the MEC Special Award. Luthuli succumbed to cancer in November 2020.
Meanwhile, DStv Premiership newcomers Richards Bay FC from Umhlathuze won the Team of the Year award.
