Women have gradually changed the landscape of South African boxing. It began more than two decades ago with Gladys Tsenene becoming the first promoter alongside men.
Then came Violet Magwaca – a former boxing referee and judge – who was appointed by then sports minister Ngconde Balfour as a member of the first ever democratically elected board to govern boxing in 2001.
That was the SA Boxing Act No 11 of 2001. It permitted women to box professionally and Mbali Zantsi exploited that space and she acquired a promoter’s licence.
She staged the first ever women-only tournament in Durban in 2007. Noni Tenge, who made her pro debut in that tournament, went on to become the first female boxer throughout the African continent to win a legitimate world title – the IBF welterweight title – in 2011.
Four years later, then minister of sports Fikile Mbalula appointed Muditambi Ravele as chairperson of the board of Boxing SA.
Another woman who has quietly beaten the stereotype is Carol “Simply Carol” Tshabalala. The most popular sportscaster is today SA’s top boxing ring announcer among men – Lucky Makeleni, Sipho Mashego, Duncan Pollock and Dev Currer.
Responding to a question if ever there was some resistance from the boxing sector to accept her as a ring announcer, Tshabalala, who works for SuperSport, said none whatsoever.
“If anything, I’ve been encouraged to pursue my passion for the sweet science in this manner; my only challenge comes when I have to juggle the busy football calendar and key fights,” she said.
“I was blessed to have been given an opportunity many years ago by Branco Milenkovic, who set the bar for other promoters to do the same. I’m proud of the fact that the involvement of women during tournaments is not limited to just ring girls.
“I have added my involvement as a ring announcer and joined our female judges and referees in this regard. There’s nothing more thrilling than being in the centre of all the action at a fight and I’m hoping to take my role as a ring announcer abroad.”
Mashego said Tshabalala brings value in terms of her experience. “We are proud of her,” he said yesterday.
“She has transcended all sporting codes and she is now doing what we set out as objective in boxing ... which is to uplift the code.”
Tshabalala started her broadcasting career in 2005.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.