The long and thorny journey by Boxing SA for the emancipation of women in the historically male-dominated fists sport takes a new approach this time around.
A week-long symposium will see the regulator, government representatives and licensees gather in Durban to deliberate on issues that could see more and more women getting involved in this sport in various capacities.
Acting CEO Nsikayezwe Sithole said this gathering will be hosted by KwaZulu-Natal from August 22-26. It forms part of the Women's Month annual celebrations.
It will culminate in the women only professional boxing tournament that will be staged by Zandile Malinga’s Starline Boxing Promotions at the ICC Hall on August 26.
Sithole said the promotion of women in boxing has been a challenge – from lack of exposure and media coverage – and this is attributed to various factors such as lack of funds and a small number of licensed and active women boxers in the country.
In the June edition of BSA’s ratings, there are only 18 women fighters in 17 weight divisions in SA. Only 10 are champions. The majority of those champions have not defended their titles for over two years due to lack of contenders. There are about 10 women officials countrywide with no less than three trainers and managers.
BSA has hosted several boxing programmes aimed at creating opportunities for women to participate in the sporting code. The regulator is taking what Sithole describes as a major step in beating stereotypes by hosting this week-long symposium.
“There will also be a boxing breakfast session with deputy minister of sports and recreation, arts and culture Nocawe Noncedo Mafu,” he said.
Professional women boxing started in 2007 – a year after the new South African Boxing Act No 11 of 2001 permitted women to box professionally – with a women only tournament being jointly staged by Mbali Zantsi of Showtime Promotion and Kenosi Mlabateki in Durban.
Mlabateki, the niece of Kaizer Motaung, stages fights under Rams Boxing Promotions.
Their tournament was dubbed “Umemulo”, after a coming of age ceremony for girls in the Zulu culture. It symbolised how women suffered during the apartheid era. Some were detained and harassed while others had to keep the fires burning when their husbands were working in the mines.
Two ABU titles will be fought for in the upcoming tournament.
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