RASA AWARDS 2018

RASA AWARDS 2018: SA DOMINATES NIGHT OF GLITZ AND GLAMOUR

The third edition of the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA), held at the Birchwood Hotel in South Africa, were dominated by the host country, South Africa.

Out of the 11 categories, the hosts took home a total of five awards, leaving the rest of the nine countries to battle it out for the remaining six.

What made it a night to forget for the kingdom of Eswatini was the fact that the two nominees representing the country came back home empty handed. The two candidates were Ntokozo Magongo (Journalist of the year category) and taekwondo artist Thandolwethu Motsa (Junior Sportsman of the year category).

Perhaps a silver lining in the dark cloud was the performance of a Swazi artist during the prestigious event for the first time. Nomzamo ’Zaza’ Dlamini wowed the audience with her silky voice.

In last year’s event, only three cabinet ministers graced the function but this time, there were eight ministers including Eswatini Sports Culture and Youth Affairs, David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala. The minister was accompanied by the Swaziland National Sport and Recreation Council (SNSRC) Board Chairman, Lawrence ‘Lolo’ Mthethwa, SNSRC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Darius Dlomo and the Business Development Manager Zama Tsabedze.

Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Eswatini all took part in this year’s awards ceremony.

This year’s theme of the awards was ‘Celebrating Excellence! Inspiring Innovation’.

Below is the full list of the winners on the night.

RASA 2018 WINNERS

Sportsperson of the year:

Karabo Sibanda – Athletics, Botswana

Sportsman of the year:

Luvo Manyonga – Athletics, South Africa

Sportswoman of the year:

Caster Semenya – Athletics, South Africa

Junior sportswoman of the year:

Tanvaradzwe Muzinda – Motocross Zimbabwe

Sportswoman of the year with a disability:

Illse Hayes – Athletics, South Africa

Sports team of the year:

Zambia Football U20 National team, Football Zambia

Coach of the year:   

Jean Verster – Athletics, South Africa

Journalist of the year:

OG Molefe – South Africa

Confederation of the year:

Botswana