Thulisile Mapongwana
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie outlined ambitious plans to elevate boxing in South Africa during a major convention hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with Boxing South Africa.
The two-day event is taking place at the East London International Convention Centre from Thursday and brings together key stakeholders, including boxing licensees and sporting experts, to discuss ways to take South African boxing to greater heights.
Boxing SA Chairperson Ayanda Matiti emphasized the need for boxing champions to be held to the same high standards as athletes in other sports.
He said while athletes in other disciplines are welcomed home with luxury cars and public fanfare, boxing champions often return to silence. “We must define a minimum incentive for a South African champion who achieves a world record on our behalf. And that minimum incentive must be common across the sporting world,” Matiti said.
McKenzie echoed this sentiment, stressing that the chaos in boxing must end. He accused a select few of profiting while many boxers and promoters struggled. "Boxing needs to change," he declared, calling for the return of genuine promoters dedicated to the sport.
He also announced a new system requiring promoters to pay their levies upfront before fights, ensuring financial transparency. “If you are a real promoter, you will thrive under this new system. If you're not, then you're going to worry about what comes next," McKenzie warned.
One of the most urgent issues addressed was the closure of the iconic Orient Theatre in East London, a key venue for boxing. McKenzie assured, "By next week Monday, something will be done. This is our main venue, and we’ll ensure it is operational again."
Boxing manager Mlandeli Thengimfene, who works with elite fighters like Zolani Tete, praised McKenzie’s intervention and emphasized the importance of Orient Theatre to the sport.
He also welcomed the minister’s decision to appoint provincial boxing boards for better governance.
McKenzie took a hard stance on financial mismanagement within the sport, demanding an investigation into the millions of rands unaccounted for in boxing. He pledged that the government would cover all legal costs to ensure a thorough probe.
In a major announcement, he confirmed South African boxing will get its dedicated TV channel.
"Boxing can’t remain static; we need our own platform to showcase the sport," he stated, highlighting the need for more exposure and financial investment.
The minister revealed that 30 champions have yet to receive their belts. “This is unacceptable," he said. We cannot allow our champions to fight for something and not receive the recognition they deserve."
To rectify this, McKenzie announced a special event before the end of March, during which all 30 champions will finally receive their long-overdue belts.
Additionally, he committed to providing 100 referees with new uniforms, ensuring that all officials present a professional standard in the ring.
While McKenzie highlighted that the BSA board now includes three women tasked with transforming female boxing, Bukiwe Nonina, former five-time SA Continental World Champion and current ABU Champion, expressed scepticism.
"Since I started boxing 15 years ago, there has been no change," Nonina said. "Women are always sidelined. We're always promised change, but nothing ever happens." She also pointed out the unfair pay gap, despite women paying the same licensing fees as men. "We pay the same fees, but when it comes to being paid for our fights, it’s not the same. We need real change."
McKenzie also committed to direct government involvement in financing boxing events. He stressed that promoters need support to host bigger fights and revealed plans to fund major events in 10,000-seat arenas. "We as a government must underwrite some of these fights. We must promote big events," he said.
He added that his upcoming budget speech would outline the government's full investment in revitalizing South African boxing.
The two-day boxing convention continues on Friday, with further discussions on implementing these game-changing reforms.
