South Africa: The much awaited Chief SA National Defence Force Gala Awards took place recently at the St George’s Hotel, Pretoria. This is where SA National Defence Force members, Services and Divisions received recognition for their outstanding achievements during the year.
Winners were announced in the following categories:
1. National Colours (SA National Defence Force members who represented South Africa on the National or International level as an Athlete or Official);
2. Fittest Soldier of the Year;
3. Fittest Service of the Year and
4. Chief SA National Defence Force Prestige Week.
Winners of the National Colours category:
• Colonel S.S. Gouws || Combat Rifle (International Matches vs New Zealand and Netherlands);
• Lieutenant Colonel M. Straus || Athletics (African Masters Champs, x 4 Gold and x 1 Silver Medals);
• Commander H. Moller || Judo (International Referee at Commonwealth Judo Champs);
• Major M.C. Wessels || Triathlon (Challenge Ironman World Champs in Germany);
• Major M. Flemming Athletics (African Masters Champs, ×2 Gold and x3 Silver Medals);
• Senior Warrant A.A.B. Andonimuthu || Freshwater Angling (SA Bank Angling Federation);
• Senior Warrant Officer J. Smit || Blackball Pool (Referee at Hawly Cup and AI African Champs);
• Warrant Officer Class 1 A.M.C. Maloney || Athletics (African Masters Champs, x 1 Silver Medal);
• Warrant Officer Class 1 J.P. Prinsloo || Practical Shooting (Handgun World Shoot in Thailand);
• Warrant Officer 2 G.N. Lary || Duathlon (Powerman Duathlon Long Distance Champs in Switzerland);
• Chief Petty Officer J. Johannes || Judo (International Referee at Common Wealth Judo Champs);
• Chief Petty Officer G. Sebola || Cricket (CSA Umpire – over 50 World Cup);
• Flight Sergeant H.G. Jansen van Vuuren || Freshwater Angling (SA Bank angling Federation);
• Petty Officer J.B. Uffindell || Judo (Africa Judo Champs Morocco. 1st place Na-geno Kata);
• Private C.A. Bruce || Kick Boxing (Turkish Open World Cup, 1st Place 1 x Gold medal).
Winners of the Fittest Soldier of the Year category:
• Major J.M Joubert;
• Majpr M.I Senamela;
• Candidate Officer R.J Mashaphu;
• Petty Officer M. Evans;
• Private S.M Nhleko and
• Private M. Zhola
Winners of the Fittest Service of the Year category.
• 1st place South African Army;
• 2nd place South African Navy and
• 3rd place South African Air Force
Winners of the Prestige Week Overall Award of the year category:
• 1st place South African Air Force;
• 2nd place South African Army and
• 3rd place South African Navy
The Chief SA National Defence Gala Awards is hosted annually to honour and celebrate SA National Defence Force sporting talent who have excelled in sporting activities.