Published: August 7th, 2015
Passionate Plettenberg Bay boxers have come up with what they believe could deliver a knockout blow to crime in the coastal holiday town.
“We want our youngsters in the gym and not on the streets,” chairman of the Bitou Boxing Association, Kenneth Magaga said.
Plettenberg Bay boxing supporters (from left) Plett Tourism chairman Peter Wallington, boxing promoter Prince Ntsikayesizwe Sigcawu, Bitou Boxing Association media liaison Sandile Zondani, Plett Tourism’s Patty Butterworth and Bitou Boxing Association chairman Kenneth Magaga are attempting to grow the sport in the region. Picture: Yolandé Stander.
He added that drug abuse and subsequent crime was rife all over South Africa including in Bitou, but that he believed boxing could be the catalyst for change.
“Boxing teaches you discipline and turns fighters into boxers … there is a difference. It also creates rolemodels – just look at Nelson Mandela, who was an avid boxer.”
He further said that the sport also created income, not only for the boxer, but also for trainers, judges, dieticians and even models who perform as ring girls.
These are only a few reasons why former professional boxers of Plett, Unathi Mndwane and Zukile Botha, decided to establish a local boxing association two years ago.
Since the association was established, the two and their team, which includes veteran boxers, have not only been developing young boxers, but also started working with the Plett Ex-Convicts Association and have developed programmes around behavioural change and integration back into society for those about to be released from prison.
This year their efforts have started to gain momentum with the backing of Plett Tourism as well as a commitment from the Bitou Municipality for assistance where possible.
It was also because of this support that two boxers, Unathi ‘Golden Boy’ Mncakameli and Cholani ‘Slow Poison’ Nwabisile, were able to participate in the Tribute to Tata Boxing Tournament hosted by Duma Boxing Promotions on July 18.
The event, which was endorsed by Boxing SA, was held at the Lookout Tourism Centre at Litha Park in Khayalitsha outside Cape Town. There were 11 bouts in this tournament which was hotly contested between boxers from East London, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay and Zimbabwe.
“Although the Plett team did not come back with a win, we strongly believe that the fact that our boxers are fighting the top ten boxers in the country means that they are recognised and are forces to be reckoned with by any professional boxers within the country and in Africa.”
Since the association was established, boxers have managed to rake in several medals at various boxing tournaments, including 30 gold medals, and have succeeded in assisting two locals to become professional boxers.
“Plett definitely has the talent; it is just about helping those with the talent along their journey to the top,” South African boxing promoter Prince Ntsikayesizwe Sigcawu said.
He added that, with the right support, he believed that Plettenberg Bay could soon be home to a South African boxing championship title.
Magaga said there are already youngsters showing potential with 14-year-old Aphiwe Hermanus doing extremely well in boxing tournaments in the Western Cape.
Magaga said while Plett’s talent was showcased at the recent tribute tournament it also revealed its shortcomings.
He added that the local boxers trained with very basic equipment and no dedicated facility. They have only a few punching bags and train whenever the local community hall is not occupied. Most of the boxers live in shacks with very little resources including proper diet advice – resources needed to succeed.
Because very few tournaments are ever hosted in Plett, local boxers also suffer from “ring rust”.
“Hosting a tournament is very expensive and you need a bare minimum of R160 000 to get such an event running. So what we need now is sponsorship. We have everything else; we just need the tournaments to give our boxers more ring time,” Magaga said.
Plett Tourism chairman Peter Wallington said they had pledged their support to boxing because of its potential benefit to the town, especially contributing to a reduction in crime, and would assist them in working on a plan to obtain funding.
