South African swimmer Penny Heyns celebrates with her two Olympic gold medals following the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. (Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images)
- As South Africans celebrate Freedom Day, here’s a look gsport’s Top 10 SA women’s in sport moments.
- Swimming great Penny Heyns was recognised as the “Greatest Moment in Women’s Sport” since 1994.
- Other notable moments, include Caster Semenya’s gold in Rio and Banyana Banyana’s historic achievements.
- For more sports news, go to the News24 Sport homepage.
As South Africans celebrate Freedom Day on Saturday, swimming great Penny Heyns’ double Olympic gold has been recognised as the “Greatest Moment in SA Women’s Sport”.
Gsport, SA’s leading movement for women’s sport advancement, spearheaded a campaign to uncover the most iconic moments in women’s sport over in its first three decades of freedom in sport.
Through public participation and a elite award-winning panel of 10, Heyns emerged as the undisputed champion.
At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Heyns captured the hearts of millions as she won the first Olympic medal under the new post-Apartheid flag.
“The #FreedomInSport series serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of women in sport and the outstanding achievements they have recorded since 1994,” remarked gsport founder, Kass Naidoo.
“Penny Heyns’ remarkable feat continues to inspire generations of athletes and symbolises the relentless pursuit of excellence in women’s sport.
“Joining Heyns in the illustrious gsport Top 10 #FreedomInSport Moments are trailblazers such as Caster Semenya, Natalie du Toit, and Kgothatso Montjane, each leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of women’s sport.”
Top 10 South African Women’s Sport Moments Since 1994:
1. 1996 – Penny Heyns won Double Gold in Atlanta Olympic Games
2. 2016 – Caster Semenya won the 800 gold in SA Record at the Rio Olympic Games
3. 2008 – Natalie du Toit became the first amputee to qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games
4. 2000 – Zanele Situ became the first black SA female athlete to claim a Paralympic gold medal at Sydney Olympic Games
5. 2023 – The Proteas Women became the first senior SA side to reach a Cricket World Cup Final
6. 2022 – Banyana Banyana clinched their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title
7. 2023 – Banyana Banyana became the first senior SA team to qualify for a FIFA World Cup knockout berth
8. 2023 – Kgothatso Montjane won her first Grand Slam title with Yui Kamiji at Roland Garros, for the French Open Doubles Title
9. 2018 – Tatjana Schoenmaker won gold to break Penny Heyns’ 100m and 50m Breaststroke African records at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
10. 2008 – Noko Matlou became the first South African to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football