Greater Letaba Municipality congratulates Bolobedu-born athletics star Prudence Sekgodiso on being crowned South Africa’s Sportswoman of the Year. The municipality celebrates her remarkable achievement and the inspiration she continues to provide to the young people of Greater Letaba.
By: Refilwe Sebola
Medingen-born 800m star Prudence Sekgodiso has added another prestigious honour to her growing list of achievements after being crowned South Africa’s Sportswoman of the Year at the 19th South African Sport Awards.
The awards ceremony was held at Sun City Resort in the North West on Sunday, 23 August 2026, bringing together some of the country’s leading sporting personalities.
Sekgodiso beat Proteas women’s cricket captain Laura Wolvaardt and accomplished canoeist and surfski paddler Kira Bester to claim the coveted award.
Her victory is a major source of pride for Medingen, Bolobedu and the Greater Letaba Municipality, where her remarkable journey began.
The 24-year-old athlete made history in 2025 when she won gold in the women’s 800m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, clocking 1:58.40.
That victory made her the first South African woman to win a World Athletics Indoor Championships gold medal.
The Sportswoman of the Year award came with a R50,000 prize. Sekgodiso was not present at the ceremony, with her coach Samuel Sepeng accepting the award on her behalf.
Sepeng, who previously coached Olympic and world champion Caster Semenya, described the achievement as a dream come true.
For young athletes in Bolobedu, Sekgodiso’s success is more than a sporting achievement. It is proof that world-class talent can emerge from rural communities.
From the village of Medingen to the world stage, Sekgodiso continues to inspire a new generation of athletes.
For Greater Letaba, she is more than a champion. She is Bolobedu’s Golden Girl.