By: Tony Manyangadze

Olympic gold medallist, Chad le Clos is the winner of the 2013 KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Newsmaker of the Year award.

This announcement was made yesterday at a gracious ceremony at the Durban City Hall. The Durban born swimmer was amongst three other nominees- the KZN Response to havoc, the World-class economic summit (BRICS); and soccer tournament (AFCON) hosted by the Durban and KZN and lastly, the KZN road to Mangaung-ANC president Jacob Zuma’s re-election.

Chad Le Clos could not be present to accept his award because he is currently in Russia but his father; Bert Le Clos was there to collect on his behalf. In his speech he thanked the organisers of the event; the eThekwini Municipality, KZN Newsmaker of the Year, Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the members of the public for the recognition.

Chad Le Clos Father, Bert Le Clos accepting the award for his son, DUT Vice-Chancellor Ahmed Bawa looks on. Pictures By: DUT

Since its inception in 2011, the KZN Newsmaker of the Year award has only been scooped by sports and also only by males. First it was Hashim Amla, a world-class batsman followed by Amazulu Football Club in 2012 and then this year around, Chad Le Clos.

“If we record back from 2011 when the newsmaker started and now we are in 2013 all our winners have only been males. Where are the women?  Are we not making any positive news?” questioned Maud Blose, Journalism Programme Coordinator at DUT.

The finalists did not go empty handed; they each received an award for being nominated.

The KZN Newsmaker of the Year returns next year and is expected to be even bigger.