Vernon Philander Named Western Cape Sportsman of the Year

Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer on Friday, 1 March 2013, hosted the Western Cape Sport Awards where a number of Western Cape Sport stars were honoured. The title of Sportsman of the year went to Western Province and South African Cricket, Vernon September, who experienced a dream 2011/12 cricket season becoming only the fifth players in history to take five wickets in an innings in each of his first three tests and going on to become the second-fastest bowler ever to claim 50 wickets.

Special Ministerial awards also went to Western Province and Stormer’s rugby player, Siya Kolisi; South Africa and Africa’s first Chess Grand master elect, Kenny Solomon; endurance marathon runner, Ryan Sanders and Western Province and Protea Team Captain, Graeme Smith.

Speaking at the event Minister Meyer said that South African’s require from our sportsmen and sportswomen; to compete with courage and determination. “Tonight we are in the privileged position to be in the presence of a number of athletes, sportsmen and sportswomen who have defied the odds and who have excelled beyond expectation.

Other notable awards were:
Junior sportswoman of the year:  Bianca Buitendag, South Western District Surfing.
Junior sportsman of the year: Gregory Gans West Coast, Kick Boxing
Sportswoman with a Disability of the year: Ilse Hayes, Western Province Athletics
Sportsman with a Disability of the year: Charles Bouwer, Western Province Swimming
Sportswoman of the year: Robyne Kime, Western Province Canoeing
Sportsman of the year: Vernon Philander, Western Province Cricket

Minister Meyer concluded by thanking sport administrators, officials, athletes and sportsmen and sportswomen for the work they do to promote sport in the Western Cape. “Thank you for filling our hearts with pride and uniting us as South Africans in an embrace that goes beyond the real and perceived boundaries that we create between ourselves. Thank you for being proudly South African and making us proudly South African” concluded Meyer.