Voting has began for The African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 third edition of Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA 2018), scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on the 26 May 2018, hosted by South Africa at Birchwood Hotel.

Stanley Mutoya, the AUSC Region 5 CEO says he is excited to see the RASA brand grow the manner in which it has since its inaugural edition in 2016. “Today we have 9 member countries taking part in the third edition, a serious growth because in 2016 we only had 5 member countries taking part. This is an indication that we have a good product to commercialize and know the corporates in our region will be keen to partner with us”

As per the AUSC Region 5 Awards Rulebook, the primary mandate of the AUSC Region 5 is to encourage all ten member countries to host national sport awards preceding the RASA. The winners at country level are automatically entered as RASA nominees. All these nominees are already winners in their own right, and now it’s all about triumph at the regional level.

Since the inaugural edition in 2016, the RASA event and the excitement it brings has grown at country level during the hosting of national awards. Winners of national sport awards look forward to be paired with There are talks to have more activities during the RASA week to further give this event more excitement and opportunities for the nominees and corporates interact with local hosting country’s citizens by giving back in a social responsibility initiatives.

The 2018 RASA will see two new editions to the basket of excitement. The Nelson Mandela Centenary celebration will form part of the activation plan. Nelson Mandela played a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of South Africa and is revert internationally as an icon and a sport legend. We are exuberated that his legacy and the celebration of 100 years will be part of RASA 2018 event. Also, for this third edition of RASA 2018, a regional boxing bonanza and Regional Professionals Boxing seminar will be part of the activities that will take place, leading up the night of glimpse and glamour were the winners fro the 2018 edition will be announced.

The hosting of RASA in 2019 will start going on rotational basis, and member countries will host in an alphabetical order starting Namibia.  “We once again extend the Region’s gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of South Africa for stepping up and offering to host the second edition RASA,” concludes Mutoya.

THE NOMINEES ARE …

JUNIOR SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Teboho Lelimo, Chess, Lesotho.
2. Thandolwethu Motsa, Taekwondo, Kingdom eSwatini.
3. Delano Muller, Kickboxing, Namibia
4. Karabo Sibanda, Athletics, Botswana
5. Kennedy Luchembe, Athletics , Zambia

JUNIOR SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Tshegofatso Tsiang Tennis, Botswana
2. ‘Malillo Phera, Chess, Lesotho
3. Charlize Van Zyl, Gymnastics Namibia
4. Carlota Munave, Taekwondo, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Lubuuto Bwalya, Chess, Zambia
6. Tanyaradzwa Muzinda, Motorcross, Zimbabwe

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Ofentse Bakwadi, Karate, Botswana.
2. Peter Banda, Football, Malawi.
3. Julius Indongo, Boxing, Namibia,
4. Luvo Manyonga, Athletics South Africa.
5. Sibusiso Matsenjwa, Athletics, Kingdom eSwatini.
6. Patson Daka, Football
7. Samson Muripo, Karate, Zimbabwe

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

1. Onkemetse Francis, Chess, Botswana
2. Neheng Khatala, Athletics, Lesotho.
3. Tabitha Chawinga, Football, Malawi.
4. Helalia Johannes, Athletics, Namibia,
5. Caster Semenya, Athletics, South Africa.
6. Phumlile Ndzinisa, Athletics, Kingdom eSwatini
7. Mupopo Kabange, Athletics, Zambia
8. Helen Costa Sinclair, Bodybuilding, Zimbabwe

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY

1. Keatlaretse Mabote, Athletics, Botswana
2. Johannes Nambala, Athletics,
3. Dyan Buis, Athletics, South Africa.
4. Mcebo Dludlu, Athletics, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Elford Moyo, Wheelchair racing, Zimbabwe

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY

1. Nonofo Zingwa, Special Olympics, Botswana.
2. Lahja Ishitile, Athletics, Namibia.
3. Illse Hayes, Athletics, South Africa.
4. Phenduliwe Mavuso, Athletics, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Margaret Bangajena, Wheelchair racing, Zimbabwe

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. Botswana 4 x 400 meters Men Relay, Athletics, Botswana
2. Namibian U20 National Team, Rugby, Namibia
3. Springbok Sevens Team, Rugby, South Africa
4. Sihlangu Semnikati – Football, Kingdom eSwatini
5. Zambia Football U20 National Team, Football, Zambia
6. Zimbabwe Rugby Sevens, Rugby, Zimbabwe

COACH OF THE YEAR

1. Mogomotsi Otsetswe, Athletics, Botswana
2. Griffin Saenda Junior, Football,
3. Nestor Tobias, Boxing, Namibia
4. Jean Verster, Athletics, South Africa
5. Thabo Vilakati, Football Kingdom eSwatini.
6. Beston Chambeshi, Football, Zambia

JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR

1. Ramajake Monamane, Lesotho
2. OG Molefe, South Africa
3. Ntokozo Magongo,Kingdom eSwatini
4. Mathews Kabamba, Zambia

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR

1. Karabo Sibanda, Athletics
2. Bernadetta Mzika, Football, Malawi,
3. Luvo Manyonga, Athletics South Africa.
4. Tony Tsabedze, Football, Kingdom eSwatini.
5. Samson Muripo, Karate, Zimbabwe